Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives
This review aims to cover the topic of polycarbonate synthesis via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic carbonates. We report a wide variety of ROP-initiating systems along with their detailed mechanisms. We focus on the challenges of preparing the polymers; the precise control of the propert...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/10/2031 |
| _version_ | 1797496265387278336 |
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| author | Zaher Abdel Baki Hanna Dib Tuba Sahin |
| author_facet | Zaher Abdel Baki Hanna Dib Tuba Sahin |
| author_sort | Zaher Abdel Baki |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review aims to cover the topic of polycarbonate synthesis via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic carbonates. We report a wide variety of ROP-initiating systems along with their detailed mechanisms. We focus on the challenges of preparing the polymers; the precise control of the properties of the materials, including molecular weight; the compositions of the copolymers and their structural characteristics. There is no one approach that works for all scales in cyclic carbonates ROP. A green process to produce polycarbonates is a luring challenge in terms of CO<sub>2</sub> utilization and the targeted domains for application. The main resolution seems to be the use of controlled incorporation of functional/reactive groups into polymer chains that can tailor the physicochemical and biological properties of the polymer matrices, producing what appears to be an unlimited field of applications. Glycerol carbonate (GC) is prepared from renewable glycerol and considered as a CO<sub>2</sub> fixation agent resulting in GC compound. This family of five-membered cyclic carbonates has attracted the attention of researchers as potential monomers for the synthesis of polycarbonates (PCs). This cyclic carbonate group presents a strong alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used mainly as a monomer for the production of polycarbonate and a precursor of epoxy resins. As of December 2016, BPA is listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under the REACH regulation. In 2006, Mouloungui et al. reported the synthesis and oligomerization of GCs. The importance of GCs goes beyond their carbonate ring and their physical properties (high boiling point, high flash point, low volatility, high electrical conductivity) because they also contain a hydroxyl group. The latter offers the possibility of producing oligo and/or polycarbonate compounds that have hydroxyl groups that can potentially lead to different reaction mechanisms and the production of new classes of polycarbonates with a wide range of applications. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:01:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d5c81b44b94c4487bb6282699ef05ebf |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:01:11Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-d5c81b44b94c4487bb6282699ef05ebf2023-11-23T12:46:23ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602022-05-011410203110.3390/polym14102031Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green AlternativesZaher Abdel Baki0Hanna Dib1Tuba Sahin2College of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, KuwaitCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, KuwaitCollege of Engineering and Technology, American University of the Middle East, KuwaitThis review aims to cover the topic of polycarbonate synthesis via ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic carbonates. We report a wide variety of ROP-initiating systems along with their detailed mechanisms. We focus on the challenges of preparing the polymers; the precise control of the properties of the materials, including molecular weight; the compositions of the copolymers and their structural characteristics. There is no one approach that works for all scales in cyclic carbonates ROP. A green process to produce polycarbonates is a luring challenge in terms of CO<sub>2</sub> utilization and the targeted domains for application. The main resolution seems to be the use of controlled incorporation of functional/reactive groups into polymer chains that can tailor the physicochemical and biological properties of the polymer matrices, producing what appears to be an unlimited field of applications. Glycerol carbonate (GC) is prepared from renewable glycerol and considered as a CO<sub>2</sub> fixation agent resulting in GC compound. This family of five-membered cyclic carbonates has attracted the attention of researchers as potential monomers for the synthesis of polycarbonates (PCs). This cyclic carbonate group presents a strong alternative to Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used mainly as a monomer for the production of polycarbonate and a precursor of epoxy resins. As of December 2016, BPA is listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under the REACH regulation. In 2006, Mouloungui et al. reported the synthesis and oligomerization of GCs. The importance of GCs goes beyond their carbonate ring and their physical properties (high boiling point, high flash point, low volatility, high electrical conductivity) because they also contain a hydroxyl group. The latter offers the possibility of producing oligo and/or polycarbonate compounds that have hydroxyl groups that can potentially lead to different reaction mechanisms and the production of new classes of polycarbonates with a wide range of applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/10/2031six- and five-membered cyclic carbonatesglycerolring-opening polymerization mechanismROP catalysisgreen chemistry |
| spellingShingle | Zaher Abdel Baki Hanna Dib Tuba Sahin Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives Polymers six- and five-membered cyclic carbonates glycerol ring-opening polymerization mechanism ROP catalysis green chemistry |
| title | Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives |
| title_full | Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives |
| title_fullStr | Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives |
| title_short | Overview: Polycarbonates via Ring-Opening Polymerization, Differences between Six- and Five-Membered Cyclic Carbonates: Inspiration for Green Alternatives |
| title_sort | overview polycarbonates via ring opening polymerization differences between six and five membered cyclic carbonates inspiration for green alternatives |
| topic | six- and five-membered cyclic carbonates glycerol ring-opening polymerization mechanism ROP catalysis green chemistry |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/10/2031 |
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