Cyclic carbonate functional polymers and their applications

Polymers containing five-membered cyclic carbonate groups show promise in a number of different applications. Polymers containing cyclic carbonate groups can be synthesized by the free radical copolymerization of a cyclic carbonate containing unsaturated monomer. A number of cyclic carbonate containing monomers have been explored including propylene carbonate methacrylate and acrylate, vinylene carbonate, glycerin carbonate vinyl ether, and vinyl ethylene carbonate. Another synthesis route involves the conversion of oxirane groups on epoxy resins to cyclic carbonate groups by reaction with CO2. Research has focused on the reaction of the cyclic carbonate group with amines to form hydroxyurethanes. Difunctional cyclic carbonates reacted with diamines result in linear thermoplastic polyurethanes, while multifunctional cyclic carbonates reacted with multifunctional amines result in cross-linked polyurethanes. Other uses of cyclic carbonate functional polymers include the immobilization of enzymes and the coordination of lithium ions in solid polymer batteries. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.