A One-Step Route to CO2 -Based Block Copolymers by Simultaneous ROCOP of CO2 /Epoxides and RAFT Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers

Abstract

The one-step synthesis of well-defined CO₂ -based diblock copolymers was achieved by simultaneous ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of CO₂ /epoxides and RAFT polymerization of vinyl monomers using a trithiocarbonate compound bearing a carboxylic group (TTC-COOH) as the bifunctional chain transfer agent (CTA). The double chain-transfer effect allows for independent and precise control over the molecular weight of the two blocks and ensures narrow polydispersities of the resultant block copolymers (1.09-1.14). Notably, an unusual axial group exchange reaction between the aluminum porphyrin catalyst and TTC-COOH impedes the formation of homopolycarbonates. By taking advantage of the RAFT technique, it is able to meet the stringent demand for functionality control to well expand the application scopes of CO₂ -based polycarbonates.

Keywords: RAFT; block copolymers; carbon dioxide; coordination copolymerization; vinyl monomers.