Abstract: The present disclosure relates to block copolymers comprising, and methods of making thereof, a polycarbonate chain linked to a hydrophilic polymer. Such block copolymers may have the formula B-A-B, where A is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain and B is a polyether. Provided methods are useful in reducing the amount of waste generated from the synthesis of polycarbonates and provide improved thermal stability and high primary hydroxyl content. Provided block copolymers also have utility as additives in enhanced oil recovery methods, and foam polymer applications.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention encompasses blends of structurally different polycarbonate polyols, resulting polyurethanes derived from such blends of polyols, methods of making such polyurethane compositions, and coatings and adhesives derived from such polyurethane compositions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having two or more sites that can initiate polymerization. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups and a high percentage of carbonate linkages. The compositions are further characterized in that they contain polymer chains having an embedded polyfunctional moiety linked to a plurality of individual polycarbonate chains.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention encompasses blends of polyols comprising a polycarbonate polyol and an additional polyol selected from a polyether or polyester polyol, resulting polyurethanes derived from such blends of polyols, methods of making such polyurethane compositions, and coatings and adhesives derived from such polyurethane compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with catalytic activity tethered to a ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to amphiphilic block copolymers comprising an aliphatic polycarbonate chain coupled to a hydrophilic polymer. Such amphiphilic polymers may have the formula A-L-B, where A- is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain having from about 3 to about 500 repeating units, L is a linker moiety and -B is a hydrophilic oligomer having from about 4 to about 200 repeating units. Provided copolymers are useful as surfactants capable of emulsifying aqueous solutions and supercritical carbon dioxide. Provided copolymers also have utility as additives for use in enhanced oil recovery methods.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polyurethane compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane foams, thermoplastics and elastomers derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure: In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive foam and elastomer compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polymer compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains containing functional groups that increase the polymer's ability to wet or adhere to inorganic materials. In certain embodiments, chain ends of the aliphatic polycarbonates are modified to introduce silicon-containing functional groups, boron-containing functional groups, phosphorous-containing functional groups, sulfonic acid groups or carboxylic acid groups.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having two or more sites that can initiate polymerization. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups and a high percentage of carbonate linkages. The compositions are further characterized in that they contain polymer chains having an embedded polyfunctional moiety linked to a plurality of individual polycarbonate chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides nanofiltration membranes with reduced chemical reactivity that can be utilized in manufacturing processes where reactive feedstocks and/or products are utilized or produced. Methods of making and using the membranes are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are high strength polyurethane foam compositions and methods of making them. In one aspect, the inventive polyurethane foams include strength enhancing additives comprising one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides. In one aspect, the inventive methods include the step of substituting a portion of the polyether polyol in the B-side of a foam formulation with one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polyurethane compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane foams, thermoplastics and elastomers derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure: In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive foam and elastomer compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having two or more sites that can initiate polymerization. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups and a high percentage of carbonate linkages. The compositions are further characterized in that they contain polymer chains having an embedded polyfunctional moiety linked to a plurality of individual polycarbonate chains.

Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to block copolymers comprising, and methods of making thereof, a polycarbonate chain linked to a hydrophilic polymer. Such block copolymers may have the formula B-A-B, where A is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain and B is a polyether. Provided methods are useful in reducing the amount of waste generated from the synthesis of polycarbonates and provide improved thermal stability and high primary hydroxyl content. Provided block copolymers also have utility as additives in enhanced oil recovery methods, and foam polymer applications.

Abstract: The disclosure pertains to amphiphilic block copolymers comprising an aliphatic polycarbonate chain coupled to a hydrophilic polymer. Such amphiphilic polymers may have the formula A-L-B, where A- is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain having from about 3 to about 500 repeating units, L is a linker moiety and —B is a hydrophilic oligomer having from about 4 to about 200 repeating units. Provided copolymers are useful as surfactants capable of emulsifying aqueous solutions and supercritical carbon dioxide. Provided copolymers also have utility as additives for use in enhanced oil recovery methods.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polyurethane compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane foams, thermoplastics and elastomers derived from aliphatic polycarbonate polyols and polyisocyanates wherein the polyol chains contain a primary repeating unit having a structure: In another aspect, the invention provides articles comprising the inventive foam and elastomer compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are high strength polyurethane foam compositions and methods of making them. In one aspect, the inventive polyurethane foams include strength enhancing additives comprising one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides. In one aspect, the inventive methods include the step of substituting a portion of the polyether polyol in the B-side of a foam formulation with one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides catalysts for the carbonylation of heterocycles. The inventive catalysts feature metal-ligand complexes having cationic functional groups tethered to the ligand, wherein the tethered cationic groups are associated with anionic metal carbonyl species. The invention also provides methods of using the inventive catalysts to affect the ring opening carbonylation of epoxides.

Abstract: Disclosed are high strength polyurethane foam compositions and methods of making them. In one aspect, the inventive polyurethane foams include strength enhancing additives comprising one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides. In one aspect, the inventive methods include the step of substituting a portion of the polyether polyol in the B-side of a foam formulation with one or more polycarbonate polyols derived from the copolymerization of CO2 and one or more epoxides.