Copolymerization of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide and homopolymerization of propylene oxide

Abstract

Copolymers of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide and homopolymers of propylene oxide are made using two dimensional double metal cyanide complexes having the formula Co[M(CN) 4 ] or hydrated or partially dehydrated form thereof. There is no propylene carbonate by product in the copolymerization.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A polymer comprising formula III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 2 -C 18 -alkyl, C 6 -C 18 -aryl, C 1 -C 20  halide-containing alkyl, and C 1 -C 20  oxygen-containing alkyl;
 said polymer further comprising at least one unit of a chain transfer agent; and 
 wherein x ranges from 1.0 to 0.46 and M n  ranges from 500 to 250,000 g/mol. 
 
     
     
         19 . The polymer of  claim 18 , wherein the chain transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         20 . The polymer of  claim 19 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, glycerol, and a polyhydroxy compound. 
     
     
         21 . The polymer of  claim 20 , wherein the polyhydroxy compound is polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
         22 . The polymer of  claim 19 , wherein the carboxylic acid is acetic acid. 
     
     
         23 . The polymer of  claim 18 , wherein M n  ranges from 500 to 25,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         24 . The polymer of  claim 18 , wherein M n  is 500 to 5,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         25 . The polymer of  claim 18 , wherein R is methyl. 
     
     
         26 . A method of making the polymer of  claim 18  comprising polymerizing a compound of formula I: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 2 -C 18 -alkyl, C 6 -C 18 -aryl, C 1 -C 20  halide-containing alkyl, and C 1 -C 20  oxygen-containing alkyl, a chain transfer agent, and optionally carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount Co[M(CN) 4 ], wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Pt, and combinations thereof, to produce a polymer of formula III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein x ranges from 1.0 to 0.46 and M n  of (III) ranges from 500 to 250,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the chain transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methanol, glycerol, and a polyhydroxy compound. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the polyhydroxy compound is polypropylene glycol. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the carboxylic acid is acetic acid. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein M n  ranges from 500 to 25,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein M n  is 500 to 5,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein R is methyl. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the ratio of equivalents of chain transfer agent to Co[M(CN) 4 ] is 1 to 500. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein x is 1. 
     
     
         36 . A polymer produced by a process comprising polymerizing a compound of formula I: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 2 -C 18 -alkyl, C 6 -C 18 -aryl, C 1 -C 20  halide-containing alkyl, and C 1 -C 20  oxygen-containing alkyl, a chain transfer agent, and optionally carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount Co[M(CN) 4 ], wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ni, Pd, Pt, and combinations thereof, to produce a polymer of formula III: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein x ranges from 1.0 to 0.46 and M n  of (III) ranges from 500 to 250,000 g/mol. 
     
     
         37 . The polymer of  claim 36  wherein the chain transfer agent is selected from the group consisting of an alcohol and a carboxylic acid.