Highly active double metal cyanide complexes: Effect of central metal and ligand on reaction of epoxide/CO2

Various novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts were successfully prepared by modifying the central metal (M) and one of cyanide ion (CN−) in Zna[M(CN)b]c complex. Such modifications have significant impact on the catalytic efficiency as well as the polymer selectivity for the reaction of PO/CO2. Zn–Ni(II) DMC is a potential catalyst for alternating copolymerization of PO/CO2, and DMC catalysts based on Zn3[Co(CN)5X]2 (X = Br− and N3−) exhibit moderate efficiency for the production of polycarbonates. This research presents the preliminary exploration of novel DMC complex via chemical modification of its central metal and ligand.