A method for quenching a polymerisation process is described. The reaction of carbon dioxide with an epoxide in the presence of a bimetallic metal complex catalyst to produce a polymer comprises the quenching step of deactivation of the catalyst by contacting the catalyst with an acid effective to deactivate the catalyst. The deactivated catalyst may be removed from the polymer product by contacting the catalyst and polymer product with a solid phase and/or by precipitation; and the catalyst may also be optionally reactivated by contacting the deactivated catalyst with an anion. The acid may contain an anion effective to initiate the polymerisation process and effective to deactivate the catalyst and the molar ratio of acid to catalyst in the deactivation step may be less than or equal to 20:1 of the acid to catalyst mole ratio for the reaction.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyether carbonate polyols by adding alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide to a H-functional starter substance in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, wherein (γ) alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide are added to a H-functional starter substance in a reactor in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, characterized in that the alkylene oxide contains a proportion of 5 to 50 wt. % ethylene oxide, based on the overall weight of the alkylene oxide used, and the addition of the ethylene oxide is carried out in an atmosphere containing carbon dioxide.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyether carbonate polyols by adding alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide to a H-functional starter substance in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, wherein (γ) alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide are added to a H-functional starter substance in a reactor in the presence of a DMC catalyst or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc, characterized in that the alkylene oxide contains a proportion of 5 to 50 wt. % ethylene oxide, based on the overall weight of the alkylene oxide used, and the addition of the ethylene oxide is carried out in an atmosphere containing carbon dioxide.

The present disclosure relates to block copolymers comprising, and methods of making thereof, a polycarbonate chain linked to a hydrophilic polymer. Such block copolymers may have the formula B-A-B, where A is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain and B is a polyether. Provided methods are useful in reducing the amount of waste generated from the synthesis of polycarbonates and provide improved thermal stability and high primary hydroxyl content. Provided block copolymers also have utility as additives in enhanced oil recovery methods, and foam polymer applications.

The present disclosure relates to block copolymers comprising, and methods of making thereof, a polycarbonate chain linked to a hydrophilic polymer. Such block copolymers may have the formula B-A-B, where A is a polycarbonate or polyethercarbonate chain and B is a polyether. Provided methods are useful in reducing the amount of waste generated from the synthesis of polycarbonates and provide improved thermal stability and high primary hydroxyl content. Provided block copolymers also have utility as additives in enhanced oil recovery methods, and foam polymer applications.

A composition comprising: a bulk material; and at least one surface; the bulk material comprising ions of a metal M bonded to one another via linker groups; the surface comprising ions of a metal M′ bonded to one another via linker groups; the metals M and M′ being the same or different; the surface comprising at least one first site A and at least one second, different site B; the site A having a hydroxyl group bonded thereto; the site B being a Lewis acidic site; is described. Methods of forming the composition and the use of the composition as a catalyst, in particular to catalyse reactions in which CO.sub.2 is incorporated into the structure of a molecule, in particular a polymer, are also described.

A composition comprising: a bulk material; and at least one surface; the bulk material comprising ions of a metal M bonded to one another via linker groups; the surface comprising ions of a metal M′ bonded to one another via linker groups; the metals M and M′ being the same or different; the surface comprising at least one first site A and at least one second, different site B; the site A having a hydroxyl group bonded thereto; the site B being a Lewis acidic site; is described. Methods of forming the composition and the use of the composition as a catalyst, in particular to catalyse reactions in which CO.sub.2 is incorporated into the structure of a molecule, in particular a polymer, are also described.

The invention relates to a process for starting up a reactor for the continuous production process of polyether carbonate polyols by the addition of alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of a DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc to an H-functional starter substance, in which process: (α) a portion of the H-functional starter substance and/or a suspension medium which has no H-functional groups is mixed in a reactor with a DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst, the DMC catalyst and/or the metal complex catalyst having a concentration s in the mixture; and (γ), after step (α), the H-functional starter substance, alkylene oxide and DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst are continuously fed into the reactor during the addition process and the resulting reaction mixture is removed from the reactor, and a steady state is achieved.

The invention relates to a process for starting up a reactor for the continuous production process of polyether carbonate polyols by the addition of alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide in the presence of a DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst based on the metals cobalt and/or zinc to an H-functional starter substance, in which process: (α) a portion of the H-functional starter substance and/or a suspension medium which has no H-functional groups is mixed in a reactor with a DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst, the DMC catalyst and/or the metal complex catalyst having a concentration s in the mixture; and (γ), after step (α), the H-functional starter substance, alkylene oxide and DMC catalyst and/or a metal complex catalyst are continuously fed into the reactor during the addition process and the resulting reaction mixture is removed from the reactor, and a steady state is achieved.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a process includes introducing a mixture comprising polypropylene carbonate (PPC) polyol, carbon dioxide, propylene oxide, and at least one dibasic ester to a quenching vessel to separate the PPC polyol from the carbon dioxide and the propylene oxide; introducing additional dibasic ester to the separation vessel, thereby separating the carbon dioxide from the propylene oxide and the dibasic ester such that a mixture of propylene oxide and the dibasic ester is formed; and introducing the mixture of propylene oxide and the dibasic ester to a recovery vessel, wherein the propylene oxide is separated from the dibasic ester in the recovery vessel.