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Title: Chain transfer agents utilized in epoxide and CO 2 copolymerization processes
This tutorial deals initially with a comparison of the mechanistic aspects of living and immortal polymerization processes. The living polymerization pathway originated with the anionic polymerization of styrene by Szwarc, whereas immortal polymerization was first described by Inoue for the homopolymerization of epoxides using an aluminum complex. A similar behavior would be anticipated for the copolymerization of epoxides and carbon dioxide catalyzed by well-defined metal complexes. The major difference between these two pathways is rapid and reversible chain transfer reactions involving protic impurities or additives in the latter case, that is, the stoichiometry of the monomer/initiator ratio changes as a function of the nature and concentration of the chain transfer agent (CTA). For instance, in early studies of the copolymerization of epoxides and CO 2 where adventitious water was present in the copolymerization reactions, there was little control of the molecular weight of the resulting copolymer product. Presently, the presence of chain transfer with protic CTAs during the copolymerization of epoxides and CO 2 is a major positive factor in this process's commercialization. Specifically, this represents an efficient production of polyols for the synthesis of CO 2 -based polyurethanes. Studies of the use of various CTAs in the synthesis of designer polymeric materials from CO 2 and epoxides are summarized herein.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1665258
PAR ID:
10106214
Author(s) / Creator(s):
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Green Chemistry
Volume:
21
Issue:
9
ISSN:
1463-9262
Page Range / eLocation ID:
2214 to 2223
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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