Exploiting multimetallic catalysts to access polymer materials from CO₂ Available to Purchase

Polycarbonates and polyurethanes derived from carbon dioxide (CO₂) have the potential to consume this greenhouse gas and convert it into value-added polymer products. Such materials have a range of applications including coatings, adhesives, elastomers and construction materials. To be commercially viable, these processes are dependent on the development of highly efficient polymerization catalysts. These catalysts are often multimetallic, and based on a well-defined ligand system. One emerging method for improving catalyst efficiency is through the design of co-operative, mixed-metal catalysts. Such heterometallic, homogenous catalysts have shown significantly improved performance metrics for carbon dioxide/epoxide ring-opening copolymerization, in comparison to their homometallic analogues. This perspective highlights the recently realized reactivity enhancements achieved using multimetallic catalysts. The material properties and scope of carbon dioxide-based polycarbonates are also discussed, including those synthesized from petrochemical-derived and bio-derived epoxides. Renewable carbon dioxide sources are key for this technology to be truly sustainable, and catalyst design has recently enabled the conversion of impure, captured waste carbon dioxide to polycarbonates.