Metal‐Free Polymeric Boron Catalyst: Clustering Effect Enables Highly Efficient CO 2 Conversion to Polycarbonates

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Authors: Qimin Lu, Tingting Zhao, Shuanjin Wang, Dongmei Han, Sheng Huang, Min Xiao, Yuezhong Meng
Cited by: 0
References: 44

Abstract

ABSTRACT Borane element as Lewis acids plays an indispensable role for epoxide/CO 2 copolymerization among metal‐free catalysts. Hence, we precisely designed a polymeric boron catalyst (PBBN) by anchoring multiple borane active centers onto the polyethylene chain via one‐step hydroboration reaction. PBBN shows better air and moisture tolerance compared to common borane‐based small‐molecule catalysts, thereby ensuring favorable safety profiles. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent catalytic activity in both the homopolymerization of PO and the copolymerization of CHO/CO 2 owing to the “clustering effect” arising from the aggregation of boron centers. Remarkably, PBBN demonstrated exceptional proton tolerance in poly(cyclohexene carbonate) diol (PCHCDL) synthesis with each boron atom capable of withstanding at least 50 equivalents of 1,4‐butanediol (BDO, equivalent to 100 proton equivalents), showing promising application potential in the polycarbonate diol synthesis.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Applied Polymer Science
Volume
143
Issue
18
Publication date
17 February 2026
Language
EN