Synthesis of Polycarbonate Diols(PCDLs) via Two-step Process Using CH3COONa as an Effective Catalyst

Polycarbonate diols(PCDLs) with a number average molecular weight(M_n) of 2800 and a narrow polydispersity index(PDI=1.33) were synthesized from dimethyl carbonate(DMC) and 1,4-butanediol(BD) via a two-step process. The influences of the molar ratios of DMC to BD in the feedstock, polycondensation temperature and polycondensation time on the PCDLs preparation were studied. CH₃COONa showed the best catalytic performance among the catalysts studied. The highest BD conversion of 73.8% and PCDLs yield of 64.7% were achieved under its optimum reaction conditions. Furthermore, based on the results of ¹H NMR, the relationships between the ratio of end groups (-OCH₃/-OH) of oligomers, the M_n and chain-end constitute of resultant polycarbonates were also investigated. The results indicate that PCDLs can be synthesized when the oligomers mostly bear hydroxyl end groups. In contrast, it was impossible to prepare PCDLs when the oligomers were enriched with methyl carbonate end groups.