Supercritical CO₂ as an Efficient Medium for Macromolecular Carbonate Synthesis through Ring-Opening Co- and Teroligomerization

The use of a supercritical CO2 medium allowsfor improved co- and teroligomerization of biobased epoxides affordingmacromolecular carbonates. Ring-openingpolymerization and teroligomerization processes thatinvolve two different epoxides and carbon dioxide are significantlymore efficiently executed in a supercritical CO2 medium.Here, we demonstrate that this generally considered green medium isadvantageous for the catalytic formation of both conventional andbiobased co- and teroligomers avoiding the occurrence of diffusion-limitedcatalysis while maximizing the polymer quality, yield, and carbonatecontent.