From CO2-Based Multifunctional Polycarbonates With a Controlled Number of Functional Groups to Graft Polymers

Copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides is employed to generate functional polycarbonates. The introduction of reactive double bonds at a poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) backbone is realized by the copolymerization of aliphatic alkene epoxides with propylene oxide (PO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). A series of copolymers with random structure and varying comonomer content (322%) with molecular weights in the range of 22 00034 000 g mol1 is synthesized and characterized with respect to their microstructure and thermal properties. The facile transformation of the double bonds is verified by a thiol-ene reaction, resulting in quantitative conversion of the double bonds. Polycarbonate derivatives with multiple functionalities are prepared, providing suitable moieties for further grafting.