Functional polycarbonate by copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxide: Synthesis and hydrolysis

Abstract

Abstract Polycarbonates with pendant carbonate groups were synthesized by copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides containing a carbonate substituent using the diethylzinc/water system as catalyst. The polycarbonates underwent acidic and basic hydrolysis to release slowly the compound attached as the pendant group via the carbonate linkage. Other hydrolysis products were glycerol and CO 2 , but no oligomeric products were formed.