In nonionic surfactants that contain blocks of hydrophobic poly(alkylene oxide) polymer linked to blocks of hydrophilic poly(alkylene oxide) polymer, the biodegradability of the polymer is improved if the hydrophobic blocks are polymerized in the presence of carbon dioxide to add poly (alkylene carbonate) units into the hydrophobic block, in which the alkylene carbonate units make up from 1 to 40 weight percent of the hydrophobic polymer blocks. The resulting nonionic surfactants can have similar surfactant performance but improved biodegradability, as compared to related surfactants without alkylene carbonate units.

Provided herein are methods of making polyalkylene carbonate compositions. The methods provided herein may comprise one or more of the following steps: (1) a polymerization step wherein an alkylene oxide is contacted with carbon dioxide, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, thereby forming a polyalkylene carbonate; (2) a dissolution step wherein the polyalkylene carbonate is dissolved in an organic solvent, thereby forming a polyalkylene carbonate solution; (3) a heat treatment step wherein a polyalkylene carbonate composition is heated, thereby forming a heat-treated poyalkylene carbonate composition; and (4) an irradiation step wherein a composition comprising polyalkylene carbonate is exposed to ionizing radiation, thereby providing an irradiated polyalkylene carbonate composition

Provided herein are methods of making polyalkylene carbonate compositions. The methods provided herein may comprise one or more of the following steps: (1) a polymerization step wherein an alkylene oxide is contacted with carbon dioxide, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, thereby forming a polyalkylene carbonate; (2) a dissolution step wherein the polyalkylene carbonate is dissolved in an organic solvent, thereby forming a polyalkylene carbonate solution; (3) a heat treatment step wherein a polyalkylene carbonate composition is heated, thereby forming a heat-treated poyalkylene carbonate composition; and (4) an irradiation step wherein a composition comprising polyalkylene carbonate is exposed to ionizing radiation, thereby providing an irradiated polyalkylene carbonate composition

A process, apparatus, and material for generating polymers are disclosed. Generating the polymers comprises reacting carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) with a cyclopropenimine (CPI). Generating the polymers further comprises reacting monomers with a product of the reaction between the CPI and the CO.sub.2.