Copolymerization of propylene oxide and 13CO2 to afford completely alternating regioregular 13C-labeled Poly(propylene carbonate)

Abstract

The synthesis of poly(propylene carbonate) with 100% 13C-labeled carbonate carbons is reported. The $$v_{{\mathrm{CO}}_{\mathrm{3}}}$$ vibration is shifted 45 cm−1 lower than that observed in its 12C analog. This lowering of the $$v_{{\mathrm{CO}}_{\mathrm{3}}}$$ vibrational mode of the copolymer provides a window for observing νNO stretching motions in incorporated dinitrosyl iron complexes. The synthesis of 100% 13C-labelled poly(propylene carbonate) from the completely alternating copolymerization of propylene oxide (rac-PO and R(+)PO) and 13CO2 is reported. The prepared copolymers were shown to be regioselective with predominately head-to-tail (HT) connectivity. The infrared absorption of the polycarbonate in the $$v_{{\mathrm{co}}_{\mathrm{3}}}$$ region is red-shifted by 45 cm−1 from the polymer prepared from 12CO2. This shift in frequency allows for the observation of vNO modes of incorporated dinitrosyl metal complexes.