Cyclohexene Oxide Research Articles

Solvent-free conversion of CO2 in carbonates through a sustainable macroporous catalyst

The novelty of this work consists of synthesizing and exploiting a heterogeneous catalyst containing ammonium chloride as part of the polymeric sponge sites for CO2 capture. To this aim, the polymerization of 2-acryloyl(oxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride was performed in cryo-condition, in the presence of a crosslinking agent, obtaining a lightweight macroporous freestanding material. Its efficiency in converting aromatic and aliphatic epoxides to the corresponding carbonates was successfully proved by using proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR). Remarkably, the conversion of styrene oxide (SO) to styrene carbonate (SC) reached a yield of 99 % after 24 h of reaction. The calculated yield versus the aliphatic cyclohexene oxide is 71 %. Similar results were obtained by substituting the resin counter anion with Br−, although the conversion kinetic was slower than the chloride. It is worth noticing that reactions took place in the mixture without adding the tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), typically used as a co-catalyst to convert epoxides into carbonates. The recyclability of the as-prepared catalyst was evaluated for four reaction cycles, evidencing stable properties without significant depletion of CO2 capture efficiency. Most importantly, the post-cleaning of the catalytic sponge is not required to be reused. Finally, the green chemistry metrics applied to the process demonstrated that our approach significantly mitigates risks and reduces environmental impact, thus elevating the overall cleanliness of our proof of concept.

Mechanistic Insights into the Effects of Ureas and Monomers on the Ring-Opening Alternating Copolymerization of Epoxides and Anhydrides Catalyzed by Organic Base/Urea.

Aliphatic polyester is an important polyester material with good biocompatibility and degradability, which can be synthesized through ring-opening alternating copolymerization (ROAC) of epoxides and anhydrides. Herein, density functional theory (DFT) is used to explore the mechanism of ROAC of epoxides (propylene oxide (PO), styrene oxide (SO), epichlorohydrin (ECH), and cyclohexane oxide (CHO)) and phthalic anhydride (PA) catalyzed by bis(triphenylphosphine) ammonium chloride (PPNCl) and ureas. It was found that the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of epoxides is the rate-controlling step, and the benzyl alcohol (BnOH) as the initiator has little effect on the polymerization activity, which was consistent with previous experimental results. Calculated comparisons of the ROAC activity of CHO/PA catalyzed by four different ureas indicate that as the Lewis acidity of the urea increased, the energy barriers of the copolymerization increased and the activity decreased. The main reason was that the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions stabilized the key intermediate of the rate-controlling step and inhibited subsequent monomer insertion. Based on this, a series of new ureas with higher catalytic activity were designed by introducing electron-donating substituents. In SO polymerization, increasing the Lewis acidity of urea can improve the SO regioselectivity. In addition, the monomer ECH with CH2Cl shows higher activity of ROAC than PO and SO, which could be ascribed to the fact that the strong electron-withdrawing Cl atom stabilizes the transition state in the rate-controlling step and reduces the reaction energy barrier.

Ring Opening Copolymerization of Epoxides with CO2 and Organic Anhydrides Promoted by Dinuclear [OSSO]‐type Metal Complexes

AbstractThe ternary copolymerization of a series of cyclic anhydrides with epoxides and carbon dioxide using dinuclear [OSSO]‐type chromium (III),1, and ‐iron(III), 2, complexes (0.1 mol %) in combination with (bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium chloride) (PPNCl, 0.5–1.0 mol with respect to catalyst) as co‐catalyst is reported in this study. The results have yielded copolymers with polyester and polycarbonate segments with high molecular weights and narrow dispersity. The catalytic systems 1–2/PPNCl were tested in the copolymerization of different epoxides, such as propylene oxide (PO), cyclohexene oxide (CHO), and vinylcyclohexene oxide (VCHO), with a variety of cyclic anhydrides, such as phthalic (PA), diglycolic (DGA) and succinic (SA), with CO2 pressure of 20 bar, temperature range of 45–80 °C in 24 h. Anhydride reaction, affording the polyester segments, exceeded the conversion of 99 % in all the explored cases. On the other hand, in the case of epoxide copolymerization with CO2, for the propylene oxide (PO) reaction, the selectivity towards polypropylene carbonate (PPC) without polyether linkage consistently was >99 %. For the terpolymerization of PO, CO2 and diglycolic anhydride (DGA), a notable epoxide conversion of 86 %, selectively to polycarbonate, with TOF value as high as 36 h−1, was achieved.

Porous Coordination Polymer MOF-808 as an Effective Catalyst to Enhance Sustainable Chemical Processes.

The improvement of sustainable chemical processes plays a pivotal role in safe environmental and societal development, for example, by reducing the use of hazardous substances, preventing chemical waste, and improving the efficiency of chemical reactions to obtain added-value compounds. In this context, the porous coordination polymer MOF-808 (MOF, metal-organic framework) was prepared by a straightforward method in water, at room temperature, and was unequivocally characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, vibrational spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. MOF-808 material was applied for the first time as catalysts in ring-opening aminolysis reactions of epoxides. It demonstrated high activity and selectivity for reactions of styrene oxide and cyclohexene oxide with aniline, using a very low amount of an eco-sustainable solvent (0.5 mL of EtOH), at 70 °C. Moreover, MOF-808 demonstrated high stability in the catalytic reaction conditions applied, and a notable reuse capacity of up to 20 consecutive reaction cycles, without significant variation in its catalytic performance. In fact, this Zr-based porous coordination polymer prepared by environment-friendly conditions proved to be a novel efficient heterogeneous catalyst, promoting the ring-opening reaction of epoxides under more sustainable conditions, and using a very low amount of catalyst.

Roles of the A-Site Ca Dopant in Modifying Surface Properties of a Co-Based Perovskite Catalyst for Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexane

Roles of the A-Site Ca Dopant in Modifying Surface Properties of a Co-Based Perovskite Catalyst for Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexane

A Self‐regulated Process from Bench to Pilot Production of Non‐natural Heterocycles Using Halohydrin Dehalogenases.

Halohydrin dehalogenases (HHDHs) have demonstrated significant potential as biocatalysts for synthesizing industrial heterocyclic compounds and chiral alkanolamines from aromatic substrates with NaOCN that are not feasible through chemosynthesis. To further study the HHDH reaction in real industrial applications, a diverse panel of HHDHs has been screened for their ability to convert aliphatic cyclohexene oxide. By using the best HHDH variant in form of a whole cell biocatalyst, a novel chemical process, regulated by the cascaded chemoenzymatic reactions for pilot‐scale ring‐opening reactions, has been successfully developed. Using the best HHDH hit in whole‐cell form provides a viable bio‐catalytic approach for the synthesis of related fine chemicals. Our research provides a promising strategy for scaling up non‐native ring‐opening reactions from the laboratory to industrial applications.

Random Terpolymer of Carbon Dioxide, Butadiene and Epoxides: Synthesis, Functionalization and Degradability

Comprehensive SummaryThe utilization of carbon dioxide (CO2) as a C1 feedstock is consistently attractive, especially in the preparation of sustainable polymeric materials. In this contribution, a terpolymer of CO2, 1,3‐butadiene (BD) and epoxide is synthesized by scandium triflate catalyzed cationic ring‐opening copolymerization of α‐ethylidene‐δ‐vinyl‐δ‐valerolactone (EVL), an intermediate derived from CO2 and BD, with epoxides. The obtained terpolymer with a CO2 content of 22 mol% has a number‐average molecular weight (Mn) up to 7.8 kg/mol and a dispersity (Đ) of 2.4. The reactivity ratios of EVL and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) are determined as 0.01 and 1.07, respectively, suggesting random characteristic of the terpolymer. The preserved C=C double bonds from BD allow for the further modification of the terpolymer by photoinitiated crosslinking. The yielded networks are fluorescent and degradable. This method offers enhanced versatility to the synthesis and additional functionalization of CO2‐based polymers.

High-electrophilic (SiO)2Nb(OH)(=O) sites confined in silanol defects over Nb-Beta zeolite for efficient cyclic alkene epoxidation reactions

Dealuminated Beta zeolite has a large amount of silanol defects on its interface, which provides an ideal place for embedding metal species and creating metal active sites in a confined microenvironment. The confined metal sites as well as their surroundings are closely related to the reactant activation and transient state achievement. Hence, unraveling the confined metal sites is of great significance for the catalytic reaction process. Herein, niobium species were incorporated into the silanol defects over dealuminated Beta zeolite with a facile dry impregnation method, co-grinding the niobium precursor with dealuminated Beta zeolite support. The successful incorporation of niobium into the silanol defects for 30Nb-Beta zeolite was verified by DRIFT, 1H MAS NMR, UV–Vis and UV-Raman characterizations. XAS characterization and DFT calculations further disclosed that the confined Nb species existed as (SiO)2Nb(OH)(=O), containing two Si−O−Nb bonds, one Nb=O bond as well as one Nb−OH bond. The synthesized 30Nb-Beta zeolite catalyst displayed a superior cyclohexene conversion of 51.1%, cyclohexene oxide selectivity of 83.1% as well as TOF value of 188.2 h−1 ascribed to the inherent electrophilicity of Nb(V) for confined (SiO)2Nb(OH)(=O) species as well as the low oxygen transfer energy barrier for NbV−OOH species. Furthermore, the prepared 30Nb-Beta zeolite can be effectively employed to other cyclic alkene epoxidation reactions.

N-P25-assisted MIL-125 derived porous nitrogen doped and carbon modified TiO2 mixed-phase junction photocatalyst for KA oil synthesis

Porous anatase/rutile mixed-phase TiO2 with nitrogen doping and carbon modification was synthesized by selecting MIL-125(Ti) as the template and in-situ carbon source as well as nitrogen-doped P25 (N-P25) as the mixed-phase modifier and nitrogen source. The obtained photocatalyst showed cake-like morphology and large specific surface area, and double regulation of carbon amount and mixed-phase ratio was achieved. The carbon species was deposited on the anatase TiO2 matrix via the Ti-O-C bridge, and the light absorption ability was largely improved by carbon modification and nitrogen doping. The photogenerated electrons can be stored and transferred to porous TiO2 matrix by surface carbon species, and the photoinduced carriers can be effectively separated in the TiO2 mixed-phase junction. Therefore, high KA oil yield from cyclohexane oxidation and selectivity to ketone were achieved, and corresponding reaction mechanism was revealed. This work provides a novel route for the construction of efficient photocatalysts towards fine chemicals’ synthesis.

Alternating ring‐opening copolymerization of cyclic anhydrides and epoxides by zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67: A promising approach

The ring opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides is one of the most important ways to synthesize polyesters both in industrial and academic fields. Herein, the zeolitic imidazolate framework‐67 (ZIF‐67) was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for the ROCOP of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides without co‐catalyst and initiator. Notably, the obtained polyesters with alternate structures were proved by the 1H NMR spectrum and FTIR spectrum, which indicate the ROCOP is alternatively copolymerized. Kinetic study of the ROCOP of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and phthalic anhydride (PA) shows that the polymerization reaction is first‐order kinetics. The apparent activation energy (Ea) of the ROCOP of CHO and PA catalyzed by ZIF‐67 was found to be about 104.4 KJ/mol. A possible mechanism of ROCOP of CHO and PA is that the metal Co coordinates with the oxygen atom on the monomer to weaken the C‐O bond thereby opening the ring structure and initiating the copolymerization reaction. In this study, a new system for the copolymerization of epoxide and anhydride catalyzed by heterogeneous catalysts was discovered, which has important guiding significance.

The tandem catalysis of porous CoW composite oxide: Intensified allylic oxidation of cyclohexene to 2-cyclohexene-1-one

The controllable oxidation of the allylic CH bond has great academic and industrial value. Different Co/W ratios of CoW composite oxides were prepared using hydrothermal method and used in the allylic oxidation reaction of cyclohexene containing unstable allylic hydrogen atoms and carbon-carbon double bonds. The relationship between the structure of active sites and catalytic performance was revealed using characterization techniques such as XRD, N2 adsorption/desorption, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, UV–vis, and XPS. The results indicated that the Co(II)/Co(III) sites effectively mediate the first step of the entire oxidation reaction system, which generates hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals through the activation of H2O2 to achieve chain initiation. Subsequently, the cyclohexene underwent a series of chain migration reactions under the action of hydroxyl radicals and peroxyl radicals, resulting in the formation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one and 2-cyclohexen-1-ol. Finally, 2-cyclohexen-1-ol interacted with W(VI) sites to form 2-cyclohexen-1-one via an alcohol-coordinated hydroxyl intermediate. The tandem oxidation reaction of cyclohexene allylic oxidation and 2-cyclohexen-1-ol dehydrogenation was realized by the CoW synergistic catalytic. The synergy between Co and W sites, composed of Co-O-W units on the surface of the CoW oxide with porous channel features, was elucidated. The experimental results showed that under the optimal conditions, using CoW composite oxide (Co/W = 1:1) as the catalyst, a 79.8% conversion rate of cyclohexene was achieved with 93.9% selectivity for the allylic products, among which the selectivity for 2-cyclohexen-1-one was 73.8%.

Ionic liquid templated synthesis of cobalt‐substituted mesoporous aluminophosphates: A novel heterogeneous catalyst for selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol

AbstractOrdered hexagonal mesoporous aluminophosphate and its cobalt‐substituted analogue were successfully synthesized using ionic liquid as a structure‐directing agent. The resulting materials were systematically characterized by various analytical, spectroscopic, and imaging methods, confirming the presence of divalent cobalt in the tetrahedral framework of the matrix. Further, the high surface area, pore volume, and thicker mesopore walls of these materials impart good thermal and hydrothermal stability. The mesoporous catalysts showed excellent activity towards the oxidation of cyclohexane reactions using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant, with 98.5 % conversion and 90.4 % selectivity towards cyclohexanol.

Efficient photo-thermo synergy in solvent-free oxidation of cyclohexane to adipic acid under visible light over p-n heterojunction FeCeOx/WO3 composites

Photothermal catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane was found to be an effective and green strategy for the production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone (KA oil). However, such strategy existed some obstacles, which hindered its application in the one-step synthesis of adipic acid (AA), necessitating further breakthroughs. Herein, a p-n heterojunction of Fe8Ce2Ox/WO3 was constructed by a simple combination of solvothermal and impregnation methods, enabling the one-step synthesis of AA via the photothermal cyclohexane oxidation under solvent-free and visible light conditions. Remarkably, the Fe8Ce2Ox/WO3 nanocomposites exhibited outstanding catalytic performance, achieving a conversion of cyclohexane reached 9.67% with the 92.45% selectivity towards AA (solid, 59.46%) and KA oil (liquid, 32.99%). The Fe8Ce2Ox/WO3 composites also demonstrated exceptional stability in the production of AA, further highlighting its potential as a catalyst for industrial applications. The exceptional catalytic properties of Fe8Ce2Ox/WO3 composites can be attributed to the promoted electronic excitation capability, enhanced separation and migration of electron-hole, suppressed charge complexation, broaden visible-light absorption, and effective photo-thermal co-catalytic effects. Furthermore, the Fe8Ce2Ox/WO3 composites possess a strong adsorption capacity for oxygen and suitable specific surface area, which can be effectively facilitate the interaction between O2 and cyclohexane, enabling the full utilization of oxygen in the oxidation of cyclohexane to form AA. The proposed approach offers a novel methodology for the design and fabrication of photothermal catalysts to achieve the direct synthesis of AA via the cyclohexane oxidation under solvent-free and visible light conditions in industry.

Prussian Blue Analogue-Derived Co3O4 as Catalysts for Enhanced Selective Oxidation of Cyclohexane Using Molecular Oxygen.

Selective conversion of inert C-H bonds in alkanes into high-value-added functional groups (alcohols, ketones, carboxylic acids, etc.) plays a vital role in establishing a green and sustainable chemical industry. Catalytic selective oxidation of cyclohexane to KA oil (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone) is a typical representative of alkane functionalization. In this work, hollow cage-like Co3O4 (Co3O4-C) and particle Co3O4 (Co3O4-P) were synthesized by calcining two types of Prussian blue analogues (PBAs), which were used to catalyze the selective oxidation of cyclohexane. The Co3O4-C predominantly exposed (311) crystal plane is easier to adsorb cyclohexane than Co3O4-P, which is beneficial to shorten the induction period, accelerate the reaction rate, and improve the conversion. Consequently, Co3O4-C displayed a 10% conversion of cyclohexane within 1 h, and the KA oil selectivity reached 90%. The Co3O4-P exposed (220) crystal plane has a higher molar percentage of oxygen vacancies and more active oxygen species, as well as a strong cyclohexanone adsorption capacity, which is conducive to the deep oxidation of cyclohexanone to adipic acid and other diacid products. The mechanism analysis of cyclohexane oxidation catalyzed by PBA-based Co3O4 shows that it exemplifies the feasibility to tailor the surface of catalysts by modulating the PBAs, which ultimately influences their reaction performance for accelerating the reaction and maintaining high cyclohexane conversion and KA oil selectivity.

Cobalt-nitrogen co-doped porous carbon sphere as highly efficient catalyst for liquid-phase cyclohexane oxidation with molecular oxygen and the active sites investigation

Cobalt-nitrogen co-doped porous carbon sphere as highly efficient catalyst for liquid-phase cyclohexane oxidation with molecular oxygen and the active sites investigation

A Procedure for Rational Probe Liquids Selection to Determine Hansen Solubility Parameters

AbstractHansen Solubility Parameters (HSP), viewed in the context of similarity whenever dispersion is focused, offer valuable insights into the surface characteristics of nanoparticles. However, existing methods for determining HSP via the sedimentation of nanoparticles require multiple probe liquids, resulting in time‐consuming, costly experiments with potential health risks. To address this, we developed a two‐step strategy that enables a systematic selection of liquids. The key element of the approach is to first identify the rough location of the Hansen sphere in the three‐dimensional Hansen space using a well‐chosen set of probe liquids of different polarities and chemical structures. Then, depending on the outcome of the first step, a particular choice of liquids is made for the final HSP determination. Taken together, the introduced procedure reduces the amount of required liquids for experiments from currently more than ten to a maximum of seven chosen based on a well‐defined, coherent methodology. Validation was performed on carbon black, non‐pigmentary nano‐scale titania, silicon/carbon composites, and lanthanum cobaltite particles, i. e., relevant materials that are commonly utilized in fuel cells, batteries, cyclohexene oxidation, catalytic combustion, photocatalysis, and heterogeneous Fenton reactions. The study showcases the potential to save time, costs, and efficiently determine HSP values in a comparable manner.

Epoxidation of cyclohexene with cyclohexyl hydroperoxide

Objectives. To investigate the regularities of the process of joint production of epoxycyclohexane, cyclohexanol, and cyclohexanone using the cyclohexene epoxidation reaction with cyclohexyl hydroperoxide in the presence of an ammonium paramolybdate catalyst, representing an alternative to the method of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone synthesis by alkaline catalytic decomposition of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide.Methods. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the obtained intermediate and target compounds was determined using modern physicochemical research methods: gas–liquid chromatography using the Chromatec-Crystal 5000.2 hardware and software complex with a flame ionization detector and infrared spectroscopy on an RX-1 infrared Fourier spectrometer. The content of hydroperoxide in the oxidation products was determined using iodometric titration, while the carboxylic acid content was determined by the titrimetric method based on the neutralization reaction.Results. The presented method for obtaining cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone together with epoxycyclohexane by the reaction of cyclohexene epoxidation with cyclohexyl hydroperoxide containing cyclohexane in the products of high-temperature liquid-phase oxidation is experimentally substantiated. The influence of various technological parameters on the process of liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexane to hydroperoxide is described. The conditions for carrying out this reaction are determined to ensure the achievement of a content of cyclohexyl hydroperoxide of 1.5 wt % in the products of oxidation. The regularities of the epoxidation reaction of the synthesized cyclohexyl hydroperoxide with cyclohexene in the presence of an ammonium paramolybdate catalyst are analyzed.Conclusions. Epoxidation of cyclohexene with cyclohexyl hydroperoxide produced epoxycyclohexane at a yield of 80–90% and a conversion of cyclohexane hydroperoxide of 85%.

Anchoring of Copper(II)-Schiff Base Complex in SBA-15 Matrix as Efficient Oxidation and Biomimetic Catalyst.

A new mononuclear Cu(II) complex [Cu(L2)(H2O)2], where L is the Schiff base 2-[2-(3-bromopropoxy)benzylideneamino] benzoic acid, was synthesized and covalently anchored onto an amino-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica in order to obtain an efficient heterogeneous catalyst. The elemental, structural, textural and morphological characterization confirmed the coordination of the central Cu(II) ion with two ligands and two H2O molecules in the synthesized complex and its successful immobilization into the inner pore surface of the NH2-functionalized support without the loss of the mesoporous structure. The catalytic activity of the free or immobilized Cu(II) complex was tested in the oxidation of cyclohexene with H2O2 under an air atmosphere and the dismutation reaction of the superoxide radical anions with very good results. In addition, catalyst reuse tests claim its suitability in alkene oxidation processes or as a biomimetic catalyst.

Creating Remarkably Moisture‐ and Air‐Stable Macromolecular Lewis Acid by Integrating Borane within the Polymer Chain: A Highly Active Catalyst for Homo(co)polymerization of Epoxides

AbstractBorane‐based Lewis acids (LA) play an indispensable role in the Lewis pair (LP) mediated polymerization. However, most borane‐based LPs are moisture‐ and air‐sensitive. Therefore, development of moisture and air‐stable borane‐based LP is highly desirable. To achieve this goal, the concept of “aggregation induced enlargement effects” by chemically linking multiple borane within a nanoscopic confinement was conceived to create macromolecular LA. Accordingly, an extremely moisture and air stable macromolecular borane, namely, PVP‐1B featuring poly(4‐vinylphenol) backbone, was constructed. The concentration of borane active site is greatly higher than average concentration due to local confinement. Therefore, an enhanced activity was observed. Moreover, the local LA aggregation effects allow its tolerance to air and large amount of chain transfer agent. Consequently, PVP‐1B showed remarkable efficiency for propylene oxide (PO) polymerization at 25 °C (TOF=27900 h−1). Furthermore, it enables generation of well‐defined telechelic poly (CHO‐alt‐CO2) diol (0.6–15.3 kg/mol) with narrow Đs via copolymerizing cyclohexene oxide and CO2 at 80 °C. This work indicates unifying multiple borane within a polymer in a macromolecular level shows superior catalytic performance than constructing binary, bi(multi)functional systems in a molecular level. This paves a new way to make functional polyethers.

Creating Remarkably Moisture- and Air-Stable Macromolecular Lewis Acid by Integrating Borane within the Polymer Chain: A Highly Active Catalyst for Homo(co)polymerization of Epoxides.

Borane-based Lewis acids (LA) play an indispensable role in the Lewis pair (LP) mediated polymerization. However, most borane-based LPs are moisture- and air-sensitive. Therefore, development of moisture and air-stable borane-based LP is highly desirable. To achieve this goal, the concept of "aggregation induced enlargement effects" by chemically linking multiple borane within a nanoscopic confinement was conceived to create macromolecular LA. Accordingly, an extremely moisture and air stable macromolecular borane, namely, PVP-1B featuring poly(4-vinylphenol) backbone, was constructed. The concentration of borane active site is greatly higher than average concentration due to local confinement. Therefore, an enhanced activity was observed. Moreover, the local LA aggregation effects allow its tolerance to air and large amount of chain transfer agent. Consequently, PVP-1B showed remarkable efficiency for propylene oxide (PO) polymerization at 25 °C (TOF=27900 h-1 ). Furthermore, it enables generation of well-defined telechelic poly (CHO-alt-CO2 ) diol (0.6-15.3 kg/mol) with narrow Đs via copolymerizing cyclohexene oxide and CO2 at 80 °C. This work indicates unifying multiple borane within a polymer in a macromolecular level shows superior catalytic performance than constructing binary, bi(multi)functional systems in a molecular level. This paves a new way to make functional polyethers.