Ternary copolymerization of carbon dioxide with optical isomers of 1,2-epoxypropane and phenylepoxyethane

Abstract

In the copolymerization of the ternary system: carbon dioxide, (R)-1,2-epoxypropane, and (R)- or (S)-phenylepoxyethane with diethylzinc—water catalyst, (R)-as well as (S)-phenylepoxyethane are incorporated into the same copolymer chain with (R)-1,2-epoxypropane. From this fact, the selection of optical antipodes of epoxide by the enantiomorphic catalyst site mechanism is considered unlikely in this ternary system. © 1977, Nature Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.