Supported onium salts as initiators for the synthesis of polycarbonates by copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides
AssigneeKing Abdullah University of Science and Technology
InventorsXiaoshuang Feng, Naganatha Patil, Caroline Luciani, Yves Gnanou, Nikos Hadjichristidis
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Abstract
Supported onium salts used as initiators for the synthesis of polycarbonates by copolymerization of carbon dioxide with epoxides are described. Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiators comprising an insoluble portion including an onium cation attached to an insoluble support; and an anion, wherein the anion is a counter-ion to the onium cation. Embodiments further describe methods of making polycarbonates using the initiator, methods of making initiators, and the like.
Claims19
An initiator, comprising:
- an insoluble portion including an onium cation attached to an insoluble support;
- and
- an anion, wherein the anion is a counter-ion to the onium cation,
- wherein the onium cation and the anion form an onium salt characterized by the formula Q+(R)nX−, wherein
- Q is N, P, or S;
- R is a butyl, octyl, or phenyl group;
- n is 3 or 4;
- and
- X is OH.
A method of making a polycarbonate, comprising:
- contacting a cyclic monomer and a CO2 in a presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate in solution;
- wherein the initiator comprises an insoluble portion including an onium cation attached to an insoluble support, and an anion as a counter-ion to the onium cation;
- and further including one or more of
- contacting the polycarbonate solution with a deactivating agent to deactivate one or more of the initiator and activator;
- separating at least the insoluble portion of the initiator from at least the polycarbonate solution;
- and
- treating the insoluble portion of the initiator with a treatment solution to regenerate the anion of the initiator.
A method of making an initiator, comprising:
- contacting two or more monomers in an aqueous solution to form insoluble copolymer beads by suspension polymerization;
- mixing the insoluble copolymer beads in a solvent suitable for forming a dispersion;
- and
- adding one or more initiator precursors to the dispersion to form the initiator, wherein the initiator precursors include one or more of an onium salt, onium cation, and anion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.