Applications of Unsaturated Cyclic Carbonate

Polymerization/copolymerization of unsaturated monocyclic carbonates is one of the methods of synthesizing polycyclic carbonates. The copolymerization behavior 

Source Reprinted from O. Figovsky, L. Shapovalov, A. Leykin, O. Birukova, and R. Potesshnikova, Nonisocyanate Polyurethanes Based on Cyclic Carbonates and Nanostructures Composites, J. Scientific Israel Technology Advanced 14, no. 4 (2012) 95—106. With permission. 

SCHEME 4.3 Synthesis of vinyl ethylene carbonate from 3,4-epoxy butene-1 and carbon dioxide. 

VEC is a sluggish monomer having free radical polymerization toward free radical polymerization. Due to the electronic structure of the double bond, VEC copolymerizes with vinyl ester monomers over a wide compositional range. However, VEC cannot be completely incorporated into an acrylic copolymer. When copolymerization with styrene is attempted, VEC is barely incorporated. 

Copolymers with good solubility in common organic solvents and good compatibility with amine cross-linkers can be prepared with VEC levels up to 40%. Studies of the reaction rates of various amines with propylene carbonate in solution were used to identify amines that are suitable as cross-linkers. Hard and glossy clear coatings with good solvent resistance could be readily prepared, providing that the level of VEC in the copolymer was at an adequate level. 

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