4.12 - ROP of Cyclic Carbonates and ROP of Macrocycles

Abstract

Polycarbonates (PCs) are polyesters of diols or diphenols and carbonic acid containing –OC(O)O– groups in their backbone chains and therefore can be divided into aliphatic and aromatic ones. An alternative method for PC synthesis is ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic carbonates, both aliphatic and aromatic ones. Aliphatic PCs and copolycarbonates, due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability, are valuable biomaterials and stimulate intensive efforts to develop new synthetic methods. Incorporation of the carbonate structure provides flexibility and toughness to the otherwise rigid and brittle polyesters.