A new amidoimidomalonate zinc complex with a sedecameric solid state structure catalyzing the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide

A new amidoimidomalonate ligand was synthesized in a short and effective way and the zinc acetate complex thereof was prepared. XRD investigation revealed an unprecedented solid state structure, where the sedecameric complex [(lig)2Zn4(OAc)4]4 builds the edges of a square cavity. Each edge is made up by a similar unit [(lig)2Zn4(OAc)4] with four zinc atoms. The complex is an active catalyst in the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide and produces polyethercarbonates with broad molecular weight distributions.

Graphical abstractThe zinc acetate complex of a newly developed amidoimidomalonate ligand formed an unprecedented solid state structure which included sixteen zinc atoms. Furthermore, this complex catalyzed the copolymerization of CO2 and cyclohexene oxide to give aliphatic polyethercarbonates.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide