Photocatalytic Synthesis of Substituted Cyclic Carbonate Monomers for Ring-Opening Polymerization

Abstract

An operationally mild, ruthenium-based photocatalytic protocol has been developed for the conversion of γ-mono- and γ,γ-disubstituted allyl carbonates in the presence of Umemoto's reagent to afford substituted six-membered cyclic carbonates. Variation and diversification of the carbonate ring substitution provides access to new monomers useful in ring-opening polymerization leading to polycarbonates with potentially tailored properties, as illustrated by comparative experiments using monomers with different pi-stacking capabilities. (Figure presented.).