Functional and Degradable Polyester-<i>co</i>-polyethers from CO<sub>2</sub>, Butadiene, and Epoxides
Yajun Zhao, Xiaohui Zhang, Zhuang Li, Zhaokun Li, Shan Tang
Abstract
Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), as a renewable and nontoxic C1 feedstock, has been recognized as an ideal comonomer to prepare sustainable materials. In this regard, substantial focus has been dedicated to the ring-opening copolymerization of CO 2 and epoxides, which results in the creation of aliphatic polycarbonates in most cases. Here, we report an unprecedented strategy to synthesize functional and degradable polyester- co -polyethers from CO 2, butadiene, and epoxides via a CO 2 /butadiene-derived δ-valerolactone intermediate (EVP). Utilizing a chromium salen complex as the catalyst, the copolymerization of EVP and epoxides was successfully achieved to produce CO 2 /butadiene/epoxide terpolymers. The obtained polyester- co -polyethers with varied 39–93 mol % EVP content (equal to 18–28 wt % CO 2 incorporation) show high thermal stability, tunable glass-transition temperatures, on-demand functionality, and good chemical degradability. This method extends the potential to access functional CO 2 -based polymers.