Anionic ring-opening polymerization of methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-O-carbonyl-α-D-glucopyranoside:: A first example of anionic ring-opening polymerization of five-membered cyclic carbonate without elimination of CO2

An anionic polymerization of a five-membered cyclic carbonate, that polymerized at relatively low temperature without eliminating carbon dioxide was investigated. The polymerization proceeded smoothly even at 30° C to give the polymer having Mnof 14,000 g mol-1 in 93% yield although the rate of the polymerization decelerated at 0° C. The result indicated that the monomer possessed higher polymerization ability despite the five-membered cyclic carbonates. The obtained polymer was hydrolyzed using KOH in ethanol to further confirm of the polymer structure. The anionic polymerization proceeded at low temperatures without the elimination of carbon dioxide to produce polycarbonates.