Issue 16, 2023

Borane catalysis for epoxide (co)polymerization

Abstract

Since 2016, when simple triethylborane (Et3B) was revealed as a very capable catalyst for the copolymerization of epoxides and carbon dioxide, research effort regarding this type of organic Lewis acid has soared. This interest is well-founded and connected to some striking features of Et3B-based polymerization catalysis. Especially for the homo- and copolymerization of epoxides, this has enabled a step change in functional group tolerance and polymerization control, also including beneficial practical aspects such as rapid monomer consumption, fully metal-free setups and very low catalyst loadings. As a result, polyethers, polyether-containing complex architectures and various epoxide-based copolymers can now be addressed with unprecedented precision, in turn unlocking extended or even novel applications for these polymers. This review intends to highlight the advances made in the past few years, focusing on the catalytic performance of Et3B and emerging strategies for (multi)borane catalyst design, alongside mechanistic considerations and how these are reflected in the respective polymers. Thereby, it is hoped to raise awareness for borane catalysis as a disruptive tool with significant technological potential for polyether chemistry and related fields.

Graphical abstract: Borane catalysis for epoxide (co)polymerization

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
05 jan 2023
Accepted
09 mar 2023
First published
14 mar 2023

Polym. Chem., 2023,14, 1834-1862

Borane catalysis for epoxide (co)polymerization

S. Naumann, Polym. Chem., 2023, 14, 1834 DOI: 10.1039/D3PY00018D

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements