Synthesis of a polycarbonate by reaction of carbon dioxide, dipotassium 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenolate and α,ω-dihalo compounds

To study the possibility of obtaining aliphatic‐aromatic polycarbonates the reactions of CO2, dipotassium 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenolate, and different α,ω‐dihalo compounds were studied in polar aprotic solvents in the presence of various catalysts. It was shown that in addition to the crown ethers already in use as catalysts in this type of polycondensation reaction cryptates and polyglyme exhibit similar catalytic activity. The influence of temperature, CO2 pressure, solvent, and structure of the α,ω‐dihalo compound on the yield of the polymer formed was established. A relationship between the type and amount of catalyst used, especially crown ether, on the reaction yield was revealed, and some physicochemical properties of the polymers obtained were determined. Studies of the model reaction between CO2, potassium phenolate, and different α,ω‐dihalo compounds under conditions analogous to those of the studied reaction were carried out. On the basis of the results obtained attempts were made to explain the reaction mechanism.