| Abstract: | Ring-opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) with a rare earth calixarene compound as catalysthas been studied for the first time. The effect of TMC/Nd (molar ratio) and polymerization conditions were investigated indetail. It was found that calix[8]arene-neodymium is a highly effective catalyst for the bulk polymerization of TMC and giveshigh molecular weight (Mv = 60,000) polymer. The optimum conditions of TMC polymerization were found to be as follows:TMC/Nd(molar ratio)=2,000,80℃,16h.The polymers were characterized by NMR,GPC and DSC.Studying the mechanism by NMR showed that the polymerization of TMC catalyzed by calix[8]arene-neodymium proceeds via a cationic mechanism. |
