Abstract: Methods of recovering and/or reusing activators and/or initiators following polycarbonate synthesis may include: contacting an amine compound with a carboxylic acid compound to form a first ammonium salt including a first ammonium cation associated with a carboxylate group; mixing the first ammonium salt with a reaction solution to obtain a first solution comprising a protonated polycarbonate, an activator adduct, and a second ammonium salt in which the second ammonium cation is associated with the carboxylate group from the first ammonium salt; contacting the first solution to precipitate the polycarbonate out of solution; separating the activator adduct from the precipitated polycarbonate and the second ammonium salt to obtain a second solution; separating the precipitated polycarbonate from the second ammonium salt to recover the second ammonium salt; and separating the activator adduct from the second solution to recover an activator capable of being reused for synthesizing additional polycarbonates.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of synthesizing a glycidyl azide homopolymer comprising contacting a glycidyl azide monomer, an initiator, and a Lewis acid sufficient to form the glycidyl azide homopolymer; wherein the glycidyl azide homopolymer is directly polymerized from the glycidyl azide monomer. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of making a glycidyl azide polymer comprising contacting one or more of a glycidyl azide monomer, an epoxide monomer, carbon dioxide, an initiator, and a Lewis acid in a reaction medium to form a glycidyl azide polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe polymerization systems for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols, methods of synthesizing polycarbonate polyols using the polymerization systems, methods of recovering initiators and/or activators for use or re-use in the synthesis of polycarbonate polyol, and the like. The polymerization systems can comprise an initiator including a mono- or multi-functional carboxylate or carbonate salt having an organic cation as a counter-ion; an optional co-initiator including a mono- or multi-functional protic compound selected from acids, alcohols, water, and combinations thereof; and an activator including a borane compound selected from alkyl boranes and aryl boranes; wherein the activator and one or more of the initiator and co-initiator associate to form an ate complex.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiating systems comprising an activator and an initiator, wherein the activator includes an alkyl borane or alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a polycarbonate comprising contacting a cyclic monomer and carbon dioxide in the presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate, wherein the catalyst is one or more of an alkyl borane and alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a method of synthesizing a glycidyl azide homopolymer comprising contacting a glycidyl azide monomer, an initiator, and a Lewis acid sufficient to form the glycidyl azide homopolymer; wherein the glycidyl azide homopolymer is directly polymerized from the glycidyl azide monomer. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe a method of making a glycidyl azide polymer comprising contacting one or more of a glycidyl azide monomer, an epoxide monomer, carbon dioxide, an initiator, and a Lewis acid in a reaction medium to form a glycidyl azide polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiating systems comprising an activator and an initiator, wherein the activator includes an alkyl borane or alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a polycarbonate comprising contacting a cyclic monomer and carbon dioxide in the presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate, wherein the catalyst is one or more of an alkyl borane and alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiating systems comprising an activator and an initiator, wherein the activator includes an alkyl borane or alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a polycarbonate comprising contacting a cyclic monomer and carbon dioxide in the presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate, wherein the catalyst is one or more of an alkyl borane and alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiating systems comprising an activator and an initiator, wherein the activator includes an alkyl borane or alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a polycarbonate comprising contacting a cyclic monomer and carbon dioxide in the presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate, wherein the catalyst is one or more of an alkyl borane and alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen.