Selective polymerization of propylene oxide by a tin phosphate coordination polymer

Abstract

AbstractOligomeric and polymeric polyether polyols, especially poly(propylene oxide), are used for the production of detergents, nonionic surfactants, washing agents, and cleaners, but they are predominantly used in polyurethane production processes. Tin phosphate coordination polymers show good activity in the selective polymerization of epoxides. The catalyst can be easily synthesized by the condensation of tributyl phosphate and butyl tin trichloride. Investigations of this achiral organotin phosphate condensate in the stereoregular polymerization of propylene oxide, including the properties controlling the molecular weight of the resulting poly(propylene oxide) and structural and mechanistic studies, are presented. Additionally, the polymerization of propylene oxide occurs with high activity, no allyl end groups, just a small number of irregularities, and a high percentage of isotacticity (88%) in the polymer. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3032–3041, 2007