Selective production of poly(carbonate–co–ether) over cyclic carbonate for epichlorohydrin and CO2 copolymerization via heterogeneous catalysis of Zn–Co (III) double metal cyanide complex

Epichlorohydrin (ECH), as a cheap raw chemical material, is an ideal monomer for copolymerization with CO2 to produce biodegradable polycarbonates. This work describes the selective ECH–CO2 copolymerization via heterogeneous catalysis of nanolamellar zinc–cobalt double metal cyanide complex (Zn–Co (III) DMCC), affording a poly(carbonate–co–ether) with carbonate content up to 70.7%. Remarkably, the cyclic carbonate contents in the product are 5.0%–11.3% at 25–60 °C, better than those from homogeneous catalysis. Moreover, the copolymer with 70.7% carbonate content presents high thermal decomposition temperature of 250 °C and relatively high glass-transition temperature (Tg) of 31.2 °C.