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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
Discrete metal-based catalysts for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides: discovery, reactivity, optimization, and
Geoffrey W Coates1, David R Moore
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-1301, USA. gc39@cornell.edu
Abstract:
Most synthetic polymers are made from petroleum feedstocks. Given the non-renewable nature of these materials, there is increasing interest in developing routes to polymeric materials from renewable resources. In addition, there is a growing demand for biodegradable polymeric materials. Polycarbonates made from CO(2) and epoxides have the potential to meet these goals. Since the discovery of catalysts for the copolymerization of CO(2) and epoxides in the late 1960's by Inoue, a significant amount of research has been directed toward the development of catalysts of improved activity and selectivity. Reviewed here are well-defined catalysts for epoxide-CO(2) copolymerization and related reactions.
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