Synthesis of fully alternating polycarbonate with low Tg from carbon dioxide and bio-based fatty acid

Abstract

The selective copolymerization of CO₂ and an epoxide to form fully alternating polycarbonates is a great challenge via catalysis with the zinc–cobalt(III) double metal cyanide complex [Zn–Co(III) DMCC]. We describe the first perfectly alternating copolymerization of CO₂ with a bio-based epoxide. The resultant polycarbonate had a low T_gs of −38 to −44 °C and two end hydroxyl groups, which were then used to initiate ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide via metal-free catalysis, affording a biodegradable triblock copolymer. This study provides a new platform copolymer for making various advanced polymers with biodegradable properties.