Synthesis of functional polycarbonates by copolymerization of carbon dioxide with allyl glycidyl ether

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.