Synthesis of Trimethylene Carbonates and Polycarbonates from Oxetanes and CO2 Using Bifunctional Aluminum Porphyrin Catalysts

Bifunctional aluminum porphyrins catalyzed the conversion of oxetane and CO2 into trimethylene carbonate (TMC) and poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC). The catalytic activity of the bifunctional catalysts is driven mainly by the central Al3+ ion while TMC/PTMC selectivity is controlled by the counteranions. A variety of TMCs including bis(TMC) were prepared from oxetanes with different substituents. The terpolymerization of oxetane, CO2, and bis(TMC) or the copolymerization of TMC and bis(TMC) produced cross-linked PTMCs, one of which was successfully used for the formation of soft and thin film.