Metal-free and solvent-free access to α,ω- heterodifunctionalized poly(propylene oxide)s by N-heterocyclic carbene-induced ring opening polymerization

Abstract

A N-heterocyclic carbene, namely, 1,3-bis-(diisopropyl)imidazol-2-ylidene either directly initiates or catalyzes the metal-free ring opening polymerization of neat propylene oxide at 50 °C, affording well-defined α,ω-heterodifunctionalized poly(propylene oxide) oligomers. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2010.