Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
High-activity, single-site catalysts for the alternating copolymerization of CO2 and propylene oxide
Scott D Allen1, David R Moore, Emil B Lobkovsky
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA.
Abstract:
Despite recent advances regarding catalysts for CO2/epoxide copolymerization, the development of high-activity catalysts for alternating polymerization of CO2 and commodity epoxides, such as propylene oxide, remains a challenge. A new class of unsymmetrically substituted beta-diiminate zinc complexes is reported that exhibits unprecedented activity for CO2/propylene oxide copolymerization. The polymers formed are of high molecular weight (Mn approximately 35 kg/mol) and have narrow polydispersities (PDI approximately 1.1), consistent with a living polymerization.
Related Concept Videos
Temperature Dependence on Reaction Rate
Atoms, molecules, or ions must collide before they can react with each other. Atoms must be close together to form chemical bonds. This premise is the basis for a theory that explains many observations regarding chemical kinetics, including factors affecting reaction rates.
The collision theory is based on the postulates that (i) the reaction rate is proportional to the rate of reactant collisions, (ii) the reacting species collide in an orientation allowing contact between...
Catalysis
Predicting Reaction Outcomes
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Catalysis
Heterogeneous Catalysis

