Process development for the catalytic conversion of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide into poly(cyclohexene carbonate)

The synthesis of polycarbonates from carbon dioxide is an alternative route to the use of phosgene for the introduction of the carbonate functionality in these polymers. In this work, a preliminary process design has been made for the catalytic conversion of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide into poly(cyclohexene carbonate). For this purpose, the low- and high-pressure phase behaviour, reaction rate and downstream removal of residual cyclohexene oxide from the product stream are described. Based on these findings a design for such a process is suggested and evaluated from a technical and economic perspective. The economic evaluation indicates that the required selling price of PCHC is intermediate to the market price of engineering and specialty polymers.