Alternating copolymerization of carbon monoxide and vinyl arenes using [N,N] bidentate palladium catalysts
Chi Shing Cheung, Xinbo Shi, Lixia Pei, Cheng Du, Heng Gao, Zonglin Qiu, Haiyang Gao
Abstract
Abstract The alternating copolymers of carbon monoxide (CO) and vinyl arene monomers, namely aromatic polyketones, are a family of attractive engineering plastic. In the catalytic synthesis of this kind of polymeric materials, [N,N] bidentate palladium catalysts represent the most successful catalytic systems. In this review, we introduce the present status of polyketone synthesis, with a focus on the aromatic polyketones made from vinyl arene and CO. We also address the palladium‐catalyzed CO/vinyl arene alternating copolymerization mechanism. A variety of [N,N] bidentate palladium catalysts bearing 2,2′‐bipyridine, 1,10‐phenanthroline, α ‐diimine, and pyridine‐imine ligands are surveyed for CO/vinyl arene copolymerization. The effects of vinyl arene monomer, counteranion, and solvent on copolymerization are also discussed. The copolymerization stereochemistry including chain end‐control and enantiomorphic site control mechanisms is introduced. This review aims to promote the design of [N,N] bidentate palladium catalysts for CO/vinyl arene copolymerization for the development of high‐performance aromatic polyketones.