A method for synthesizing an aliphatic polyester block copolymer regulated by carbon monoxide. The method uses an organic cobalt metal complex as a convertible catalyst and includes: first regulating an anionic ring-opening copolymerization reaction between an aliphatic acid anhydride and an epoxy compound; then using carbon monoxide as a conversion agent for conversion to obtain a catalyst having a new catalytic active site; and regulating a vinyl monomer to perform active free radical polymerization to obtain an aliphatic polyester block copolymer having a controllable structure. The described synthesis method uses a convertible catalyst and a conversion agent, combines two controllable polymerization reactions which have different but compatible mechanisms, and obtains a block copolymer by means of a “one-pot” reaction.

A method for synthesizing an aliphatic polyester block copolymer regulated by carbon monoxide. The method uses an organic cobalt metal complex as a convertible catalyst and includes: first regulating an anionic ring-opening copolymerization reaction between an aliphatic acid anhydride and an epoxy compound; then using carbon monoxide as a conversion agent for conversion to obtain a catalyst having a new catalytic active site; and regulating a vinyl monomer to perform active free radical polymerization to obtain an aliphatic polyester block copolymer having a controllable structure. The described synthesis method uses a convertible catalyst and a conversion agent, combines two controllable polymerization reactions which have different but compatible mechanisms, and obtains a block copolymer by means of a “one-pot” reaction.

A polymerizable composition comprising a) a cyclic amide formed from a mixture of laurolactam and caprolactam, where the amount of laurolactam is 10% to 35% by weight, based on the total amount of cyclic amide, b) at least one activator, and c) at least one catalyst for polymerization of the cyclic amides.

The present invention is directed to processes for catalyzing two or more chemical reactions with a multifunctional catalyst in a reaction vessel. The processes include steps for introducing one or more reagents to a reaction vessel containing a multifunctional catalyst; contacting the one or more reagents with a first portion of the multifunctional catalyst to produce an intermediate; contacting the intermediate with a second portion of the multifunctional catalyst to produce a product; and removing the product from the reaction vessel. In certain embodiments, the multifunctional catalyst may have a first portion with carbonylation functionality for catalyzing the production of a beta-lactone intermediate from an epoxide reagent and a carbon monoxide reagent. In certain embodiments, the multifunctional catalyst may have a second portion with a functionality suitable for polymerization, co-polymerization, and/or modification of a beta-lactone intermediate. In preferred embodiments, the first portion and second portion are bonded to a heterogenous support.