Sustainable Copolymer Synthesis from Carbon Dioxide and Butadiene

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) has long been recognized as an ideal C1 feedstock comonomer for producing sustainable materials because it is renewable, abundant, and cost-effective. However, activating CO₂ presents a significant challenge because it is highly oxidized and stable. A CO₂/butadiene-derived δ-valerolactone (EVP), generated via palladium-catalyzed telomerization between CO₂ and butadiene, has emerged as an attractive intermediate for producing sustainable copolymers from CO₂ and butadiene. Owing to the presence of two active carbon-carbon double bonds and a lactone unit, EVP serves as a versatile intermediate for creating sustainable copolymers with a CO₂ content of up to 29 wt % (33 mol %). In this Review, advances in the synthesis of copolymers from CO₂ and butadiene with divergent structures through various polymerization protocols have been summarized. Achievements made in homo- and copolymerization of EVP or its derivatives are comprehensively reviewed, while the postmodification of the obtained copolymers to access new polymers are also discussed. Meanwhile, potential applications of the obtained copolymers are also discussed. The literature references were sorted into sections based on polymerization strategies and mechanisms, facilitating readers in gaining a comprehensive view of the present chemistry landscape and inspiring innovative approaches to synthesizing novel CO₂-derived copolymers.