A highly active, thermally robust iron(iii)/potassium(i) heterodinuclear catalyst for bio-derived epoxide/anhydride ring-opening copolymerizations

Abstract

The ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of epoxides and anhydrides is a useful route to polyesters but requires more active catalysts. An iron(III)/potassium(I) catalyst, applied without additives/co-catalyst, shows high rates, loading tolerance, thermal stability and selectivity. It shows unparalled rates using terpene-derived monomers, producing bio-derived, amorphous high glass transition temperature (>100 °C) polyesters relevant for future explorations as thermoplastics, block polymer adhesives and elastomers.