Methods for polymer synthesis
AssigneeSaudi Aramco Technologies Company
InventorsScott D. Allen, Christopher A. Simoneau, William D. Keefe, Jeff R. Conuel
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Abstract
The present invention provides methods for reducing induction periods in epoxide-CO2 copolymerizations. In certain embodiments, the methods include the step of contacting an epoxide with CO2 in the presence of two catalysts: an epoxide hydrolysis catalyst and an epoxide CO2 copolymerization catalyst. In another aspect, the invention provides catalyst compositions comprising a mixture of an epoxide hydrolysis catalyst and an epoxide CO2 copolymerization catalyst.
Claims25
A method for preparing aliphatic polycarbonate polymers comprising the step of contacting one or more epoxides with a first catalyst capable of catalyzing the hydrolysis of epoxides and a second catalyst capable of catalyzing the copolymerization of epoxides and CO2;
- wherein the first catalyst is an oligomeric metal complex;
- and
- the second catalyst comprises a metal-ligand complex.
A method for the copolymerization of one or more epoxides and CO2 to produce aliphatic polycarbonate polymers, the method comprising the steps of:
- treating an epoxide feedstock comprising one or more epoxides by contacting it with a first catalyst capable of catalyzing epoxide hydrolysis and optionally a second catalyst capable of catalyzing epoxide CO2 copolymerization;
- and
- feeding the treated epoxide feedstock to an epoxide CO2 copolymerization reaction where it is contacted with CO2 in the presence of the second catalyst capable of catalyzing epoxide CO2 copolymerization;
- wherein
- the first catalyst comprises an oligomeric metal complex;
- and
- the second catalyst comprises a metal-ligand complex.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.