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 application provides a method for producing an beta-lactone product. The method includes the steps of: reacting an epoxide, a solvent with a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a reaction stream comprising a beta-lactone then separating a portion of the beta-lactone in the reaction stream from the solvent and carbonylation catalyst to produce: i) a beta-lactone stream with the beta-lactone, and ii) a catalyst recycling stream including the carbonylation catalyst and the high boiling solvent; and adding the catalyst recycling stream to the feed stream.

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 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: 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 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: 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 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 polymer compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains containing sites of olefinic unsaturation. In certain embodiments the aliphatic polycarbonate chains comprise sites of olefinic unsaturation capable of participating in radical-promoted olefin polymerizations. In certain embodiments, the invention encompasses composites formed by the polymerization or cross-linking of a combination of olefinic monomers and aliphatic polycarbonate chains containing sites of olefinic unsaturation.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses surface active agents useful in liquid or supercritical CO2 applications. The surface active agents comprise compounds containing a hydrocarbon segment and an aliphatic polycarbonate segment: The invention also provides methods of making the surface active agents and of using them in supercritical CO2 applications.

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: 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: The present application provides a method for producing an beta-lactone product. The method includes the steps of: reacting an epoxide, a solvent with a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a reaction stream comprising a beta-lactone then separating a portion of the beta-lactone in the reaction stream from the solvent and carbonylation catalyst to produce: i) a beta-lactone stream with the beta-lactone, and ii) a catalyst recycling stream including the carbonylation catalyst and the high boiling solvent; and adding the catalyst recycling stream to the feed stream.

Abstract: Continuous flow systems and methods produce succinic anhydride by a double carbonylation of ethylene oxide with carbon monoxide and at least one catalyst. In some embodiments, the double carbonylation occurs using a single catalyst. In other embodiments, a first catalyst is used to promote the first carbonylation, and a second catalyst different from the first catalyst is used to promote the second carbonylation. The succinic anhydride is isolated from the product stream by crystallization and the catalyst is recycled to the reaction stream.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention pertains to novel block materials comprising an aliphatic polycarbonate (APC) chain bound to a hydrocarbon. The invention also provides methods of making the block materials and using them as compatibilizers for polymer blends. In another aspect, the present invention encompasses methods of making blends of APCs with polyolefins. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise the step of blending one or more APCs with one or more polyolefins in the presence of a compatibilizer as described herein. In another aspect, the present invention encompasses novel blends of APCs with polyolefins. In certain embodiments, the blends comprise one or more APCs; at least one polyolefin and a compatibilizer as described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymerization systems and methods for the formation of polyesters from epoxides and carbon monoxide. The inventive polymerization systems feature the combination of metal carbonyl compounds and polymerization initiators and are characterized in that the molar ratios of metal carbonyl compound, polymerization initiators and provided epoxides are present in certain ratios.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to, in part, an aliphatic polycarbonate polymerization reaction initiated by combining an epoxide with carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalytic transition metal-ligand complex to form a reaction mixture, and further quenching that polymerization reaction by contacting the reaction mixture with an acid containing a non-nucleophilic anion produces a crude polymer solution with improved stability and processability.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for producing an beta-lactone product. The method includes the steps of: reacting an epoxide, a solvent with a carbonylation catalyst and carbon monoxide to produce a reaction stream comprising a beta-lactone then separating a portion of the beta-lactone in the reaction stream from the solvent and carbonylation catalyst to produce: i) a beta-lactone stream with the beta-lactone, and ii) a catalyst recycling stream including the carbonylation catalyst and the high boiling solvent; and adding the catalyst recycling stream to the feed stream.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesive compositions comprising aliphatic polycarbonate chains. In one aspect, the present invention encompasses polyurethane adhesives 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 polyurethane compositions as well as methods of making such compositions.