Advances in metal-free catalysts in copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides
The ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides is a new type of aliphatic polyester synthesis technology.One of its core technologies is the selection and application of catalysts.Metal-free catalysts exhibit potential advantages compared to metal catalysts with respect to simplicity,low toxicity,monomer adaptability and economy,and have developed rapidly.This article reviews the research progress of metal-free catalysts in the copolymerization of epoxides and cyclic anhydrides,which summarizes the understanding of the working mechanisms and catalytic implementation effects of organic bases,Lewis acid-base pairs,and other metal-free catalysts in the ring-opening copolymerization recently,and proposes prospects for the development direction and industrial application potential of the catalyst.