Carbon dioxide as a polymer feedstock.

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Green Chemistry and Sustainability
• Materials Science

Background:

• The utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a monomer in polymerization systems has been explored for over four decades.
• Initial research focused on the copolymerization of CO2 with epoxides to produce polycarbonates, utilizing organozinc catalysts.
• Catalyst development evolved to include zinc phenoxides and various metal-centered compounds, notably metal porphyrins.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advancements in CO2 utilization for polymer synthesis over the past 45 years.
• To discuss the evolution of catalysts and polymerization techniques for CO2-based polymers.
• To highlight recent progress in copolymerizing CO2 with different monomers, such as butadiene.

Main Methods:

• Review of seminal and subsequent research papers on CO2 polymerization.
• Analysis of catalyst development, including organozinc compounds, zinc phenoxides, and metal porphyrins (Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, lanthanides).
• Examination of stereoregular polymer synthesis and recent methods involving lactone intermediates for CO2-butadiene copolymerization.

Main Results:

• Successful synthesis of high molecular weight polycarbonates from CO2 and epoxides.
• Development of diverse metal-centered catalysts, enhancing polymerization efficiency and control.
• Emergence of advanced techniques like CO2-butadiene copolymerization via lactone intermediates using palladium catalysts.

Conclusions:

• CO2 utilization in polymerization offers a sustainable pathway for waste valorization.
• Significant progress has been made in catalyst design and polymerization strategies for CO2-based materials.
• The synthesis of polycarbonates and other polymers from CO2 presents a promising route towards environmentally friendly chemical processes.