Switchable catalysis improves the properties of CO2-derived polymers: poly(cyclohexene carbonate-b-epsilon-decalactone-b-cyclohexene carbonate) adhesives, elastomers, and toughened plastics
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Carbon dioxide/epoxide copolymerization is an efficient way to add value to waste CO2 and to reduce pollution in polymer manufacturing. Using this process to make low molar mass polycarbonate polyols is a commercially relevant route to new thermosets and polyurethanes. In contrast, high molar mass polycarbonates, produced from CO2, generally under-deliver in terms of properties, and one of the most widely investigated, poly(cyclohexene carbonate), is limited by its low elongation at break and high brittleness. Here, a new catalytic polymerization process is reported that selectively and efficiently yields degradable ABA-block polymers, incorporating 6–23 wt % CO2. The polymers are synthesized using a new, highly active organometallic heterodinuclear Zn(II)/Mg(II) catalyst applied in a one-pot procedure together with biobased ε-decalactone, cyclohexene oxide, and carbon dioxide to make a series of poly(cyclohexene carbonate-b-decalactone-b-cyclohexene carbonate) [PCHC-PDL-PCHC]. The process is highly selective (CO2 selectivity >99% of theoretical value), allows for high monomer conversions (>90%), and yields polymers with predictable compositions, molar mass (from 38–71 kg mol–1), and forms dihydroxyl telechelic chains. These new materials improve upon the properties of poly(cyclohexene carbonate) and, specifically, they show good thermal stability (Td,5 ∼ 280 °C), high toughness (112 MJ m–3), and very high elongation at break (>900%). Materials properties are improved by precisely controlling both the quantity and location of carbon dioxide in the polymer chain. Preliminary studies show that polymers are stable in aqueous environments at room temperature over months, but they are rapidly degraded upon gentle heating in an acidic environment (60 °C, toluene, p-toluene sulfonic acid). The process is likely generally applicable to many other lactones, lactides, anhydrides, epoxides, and heterocumulenes and sets the scene for a host of new applications for CO2-derived polymers.
Date Issued
2020-03-04
Date Acceptance
2020-02-01
Citation
Journal of the American Chemical Society, 2020, 142 (9), pp.4367-4378
ISSN
0002-7863
Publisher
American Chemical Society
Start Page
4367
End Page
4378
Journal / Book Title
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Volume
142
Issue
9
Copyright Statement
© 2020 American Chemical Society. This is an open access article published under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY)
License (http://pubs.acs.org/page/policy/authorchoice_ccby_termsofuse.html), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the author and source are cited.
License (http://pubs.acs.org/page/policy/authorchoice_ccby_termsofuse.html), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium,
provided the author and source are cited.
Identifier
http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000518700800034&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=1ba7043ffcc86c417c072aa74d649202
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chemistry
SELECTIVE POLYMERIZATION CATALYSIS
PRESSURE-SENSITIVE ADHESIVES
RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION
TO-RUBBER TRANSITION
ONE-POT SYNTHESIS
ABA BLOCK
TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERS
THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS
BETA-BUTYROLACTONE
MOLECULAR-WEIGHT
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2020-02-20