Preparation of biodegradable polycarbonate from carbon dioxide

The copolymer of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide (CHO) named poly (cyclohexene carbonate) is a good biodegradable material. BTED - Zn ( BTED = N,N'-Bis(2-thiophenecarboxaldehy) ethylenediamine) was prepared by using 2- thiophenecarboxaldehy and ethylenediamine with ZnCl2 as the catalyst for the copolymerization of CO2 and CHO. The complex showed catalytic activity for the synthesis of cyclic carbonate and copolymer and gave a turnover number of 147.8. The obtained copolymers were characterized by IR and NMR. Effects of reaction conditions such as dosage of monomer and reaction time were investigated.