Efficient magnesium catalysts for the copolymerization of epoxides and CO2; using water to synthesize polycarbonate polyols.

The synthesis and characterization of three highly active dimagnesium catalysts for the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide, active under just 1 atm of carbon dioxide pressure, are reported. The catalysts have turnover numbers up to 6000 and turnover frequencies of up to 750 h(-1). These values are, respectively, 75 and 20 times higher than those of the other three known magnesium catalysts. Furthermore, the catalysts operate at 1/500th the loading of the best reported magnesium catalyst. The catalyst selectivities are excellent, yielding polymers with 99% carbonate repeat units and >99% selectivity for copolymer. Using a dimagnesium bis(trifluoroacetate) catalyst, and water as a renewable chain transfer reagent, poly(cyclohexene carbonate) polyols are synthesized with high selectivity.