IP Library › Patent Application 13692289
Patent Application
App. No. 13/692,289

COPOLYMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE OXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE AND HOMOPOLYMERIZATION OF PROPYLENE OXIDE

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
13/692,289
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.

Claims (28)

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.