Highly Selective Preparation and Depolymerization of Chemically Recyclable Poly(cyclopentene carbonate) Enabled by Organoboron Catalysts. Issue 46 (17th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yang, Guan‐Wen; Wang, Yuhui; Qi, Huan; Zhang, Yao‐Yao; Zhu, Xiao‐Feng; Lu, Chenjie; Yang, Li; Wu, Guang‐Peng
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie international edition. Volume 61:Issue 46(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-10-17
• Subjects: Alternating Copolymerization -- Carbon Dioxide -- Organoboron Catalysts -- Polycarbonate -- Recyclable Polymer; Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.202210243
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1433-7851

Abstract

Abstract: Poly(cyclopentene carbonate) (PCPC) produced by copolymerization of CO2 and cyclopentene oxide (CPO) is a promising but challenging chemical recyclable polymer that has high potential in minimizing plastic pollution and maximizing CO2 utilization. Currently, problems remain to be solved, include low reactivity of toxic metal catalysts, inevitable byproducts, and especially the ambiguous mechanism understanding. Herein, we present the first metal‐free access to PCPC by using a series of modular dinuclear organoboron catalysts. PCPC was afforded in an unprecedented catalytic efficiency of 1.0 kg of PCPC/g of catalyst; while the depolymerization of PCPC abides by a combination pathway of random chain scission and chain unzipping, returning CPO in near‐quantitative yield (>99 %). The preparation and depolymerization of PCPC along with in depth understanding of related mechanisms would be helpful for further development of advanced catalysts and recyclable plastics. Abstract : The first metal‐free access to poly(cyclopentene carbonate) and its chemical recycling to monomer were achieved by using a dinuclear bifunctional organoboron catalyst, enriching the portfolio of the circular plastic economy.