Catalytic synthesis and physical properties of CO2-based cross-linked poly(cyclohexene carbonate)s

Bifunctional aluminum porphyrins (0.001 mol%) catalyzed the terpolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO), bis(CHO), and CO2 to give cross-linked polycarbonates (CLPs) under solvent-free conditions. A small amount of bis(CHO) acted as a cross-linking agent, and the use of only 0.1 mol% bis(CHO) to CHO produced polymers of quite large sizes. The thermal and mechanical properties of CLPs could be altered by changing the structure and amount of bis(CHO), and the CLPs showed improved thermal stability and tensile strength as compared to linear poly(cyclohexene carbonate)s (PCHCs). The degradation of the CLPs was also investigated, and the selective cleavage of the cross-links was achieved by UV light irradiation to give linear PCHCs. The present study disclosed the potentials of cross-linking terpolymerization for the preparation of various CLPs with a constant CO2 content (31 wt%).

Automated summary

In this study, bifunctional aluminum porphyrins catalyzed the terpolymerization of cyclohexene oxide, bis(CHO), and CO2 under solvent-free conditions, resulting in the formation of cross-linked polycarbonates (CLPs). The properties of CLPs, such as thermal stability and tensile strength, could be modified by changing the structure and amount of the cross-linking agent. Additionally, the selective cleavage of the cross-links in CLPs was achieved by UV light irradiation, leading to the formation of linear poly(cyclohexene carbonate)s (PCHCs).