A novel synthesis of poly(carbonate)s by the polyaddition of bis(epoxide)swith diphenyl carbonate

The synthesis of poly(carbonate)s with phenoxymethyl groups in their side c hains by a polyaddition of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (4a) with diphenyl carbonate (2) using quaternary onium salts or crown ether complexes as cata lysts is described. When the polyaddition was performed with the catalyst c ontaining Cl- as a counteranion such as tetrabutylammonium chloride, tetrab utylphosphonium chloride, or 18-crown-G/KCl without solvent at 100 degreesC for 48 h, the corresponding poly(carbonate) with high molecular weight (M- n = 20 000-34 000) was successfully obtained. H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra of the resulting polymer indicated that the reaction proceeded regioselecti vely at the epoxy groups of 4a to give the polycarbonate with pendant pheno xy groups. The polyaddition of various bis(epoxide)s with 2 also proceeded in bulk to provide the corresponding poly(carbonate)s with high molecular w eight in good yield.