Organometallic Chemistry of Carbon Dioxide: Copolymerization of CO2 and Epoxides

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This award in the Inorganic, Bioinorganic and Organometallic Chemistry program supports research on the development of substrate/catalyst systems for the production of polycarbonates from carbon dioxide and epoxides, by Professor Donald Darensbourg of the Department of Chemistry at Texas A&M University. The detailed mechanism of action of previously-developed zinc phenoxide catalysts using cyclohexene oxide as the substrate will be determined and used to design new catalysts. The use of double metal cyanides of zinc and cobalt or iron will be emphasized.The goal of this research is to develop new and effective catalysts which can produce polycarbonates, a commercially important class of polymers, from carbon dioxide and readily available ethylene and propylene oxides. These catalysts will permit the direct utilization of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide as well as replacement of the current phosgene-based technology. Phosgene is highly toxic, and this process will be more environmentally friendly. A number of diverse students, both graduate and undergraduate, will receive broad training for both industrial and academic careers.