The first synthesis of amino-functionalized poly(propylene carbonate) (PPC) by terpolymerization of carbon dioxide (CO2), propylene oxide (PO), and N,N-dibenzyl amino glycidol (DBAG) following the removal of benzyl protecting groups. The copolymerization conditions were investigated in detail. PPC with varying monomer DBAG contents (0–3.3 mol%) was obtained in high yield. The benzyl groups of the terpolymers could be completely removed to provide amino-functionalized PPC without backbone degradation. Thermal properties and contact angles of the functionalized PPCs were measured, showing the dependence of glass transition temperature (Tg) on molecular weight and the expected increase in hydrophilicity with increasing content of amino entities.

A one-step strategy for the preparation of cross-linkable aliphatic polycarbonates via the direct terpolymerization of CO2, propylene oxide and itaconic anhydride is presented for the first time in this paper. The resulting terpolymers exhibit high degradability, and superior thermal and mechanical performance compared with poly(carbonate propylene).