Salcy‐Naphthalene Cobalt Complexes as Catalysts for the Synthesis of High Molecular Weight Polycarbonates

High molecular weight polypropylene carbonates were prepared by CO2/propylene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by salcy‐naphthalene cobalt complexes. The introduction of methyl groups in the ortho position of naphthalene‐based salcy ligands and the catalyst loading in the presence of hexane as a co‐solvent were crucial to enhance the catalytic performance for the production of polycarbonates of high molecular weight. Ortho is the way: High molecular weight polypropylene carbonates were prepared by CO2/propylene oxide copolymerization catalyzed by salcy‐naphthalene cobalt complexes. The introduction of methyl groups in ortho position of naphthalene‐based salcy ligands and the catalyst loading in the presence of hexane as a co‐solvent were crucial to enhance the catalytic performance for the production of polycarbonates of high molecular weight.