Chemoselective polymerization control: From mixed-monomer feedstock to copolymers

Abstract

A novel chemoselective polymerization control yields predictable (co)polymer compositions from a mixture of monomers. Using a dizinc catalyst and a mixture of caprolactone, cyclohexene oxide, and carbon dioxide enables the selective preparation of either polyesters or polycarbonates or copoly(ester-carbonates). The selectivity depends on the nature of the zinc-oxygen functionality at the growing polymer chain end, and can be controlled by the addition of exogeneous switch reagents. It's under control: A novel chemoselective ring-opening polymerization yields predictable polymer/copolymer compositions from a mixture of monomers. The selectivity depends on the nature of the zinc-oxygen functionality at the growing polymer chain end, and can be controlled by the addition of exogenous switch reagents. Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.