Synthesis of polyethercarbonate from carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide by yttrium-metal coordination catalyst

The copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide to generate polyethercarbonate using yttrium-metal coordination catalyst was carried out in this study. After testing several catalyst systems, it was found that the system consisting of Y(CF3CO2)(3)(I), Zn(Et)(2)(II),and glycerine(III) in the solvent of 1,3-dioxolane was the most effective catalyst. The IR and H-1 NMR spectra indicated that the resulting copolymer was indeed a polyethercarbonate with a carbonate content as high as 100%. Toe weight-average molecular weights observed in a range between 1.9 x 10(4) and 3.3 x 10(5) and the dispersity between 3.5 and 12.5. The glass transition temperature of the resulting copolymer was found to locate in a range 105-128 degreesC and the temperature at which 10% weight loss occurred in a range 252-331 degreesC. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.