Copolymerization of Carbon Dioxide and Propylene Oxide Catalyzed by Salen Complexes

Abstract

Three salen complexes N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamino MⅢ Cl were prepared and employed for the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with propylene oxide. FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra confirmed the characteristic of metal salen complexes obtained. The central metal atoms in the salen complexes have great influence on the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with propylene oxide. The result shows that chromium metal is more effective to synthesize PPC copolymer. The structure of the resulting PPC was characterized by IR 1H NMR and GPC. 86.3% carbonate content of the PPC was achieved with chromium salen complexes.