Propylene oxide and cyclohexene oxide were copolymerized with carbon dioxide in the presence of catalysts such as diethylzinc with phenol or 1 -phenoxy-2-propanol and/or a polyhydric phenol (polyhydroxybenzene derivatives such as 4-tert-butylcatechol, pyrogallol): The corresponding copolymers with predominant carbonate linkages and the respective cyclic alkylene carbonates as by-products were obtained in the presence of catalysts derived from diethylzinc and polyhydric phenol. Cyclic alkylene carbonates but no polymeric products were formed in the presence of catalysts derived from diethylzinc and monoprotic compound. The copolymers were analysed by means of 'H-and '3C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in terms of chain microstructure and end groups. Alkaline hydrolysis of the cyclohexene oxidekarbon dioxide copolymer was performed and the trans-structure of the obtained cyclohexane-l,2-diol was determined. Mechanisms for the initiation and propagation reactions are proposed and discussed.

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Functional aliphatic polycarbonate was synthesized by copolymerization of carbon dioxide and allyl glycidyl ether in the presence of a catalyst system based on ZnEt2 and pyrogallol at a molar ratio of 2 : 1. The polycarbonate obtained was oxidized with m‐chloroperbenzoic acid to give poly(epoxycarbonate). These polymers were degraded in an aqueous buffer of pH 7.4 at 37°C. Hydrolytic degradation was monitored by determination of the weight loss.