What does this research mean for the field?

The polymeric boron catalyst (PBBN) enables highly efficient conversion of CO2 to polycarbonates due to its clustering effect and exceptional proton tolerance. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to develop a metal-free polymeric boron catalyst for efficient CO2 conversion to polycarbonates.

February 19, 2026

Metal‐Free Polymeric Boron Catalyst: Clustering Effect Enables Highly Efficient CO 2 Conversion to Polycarbonates

Key Points

The study aims to develop a metal-free polymeric boron catalyst for efficient CO2 conversion to polycarbonates.
Designed a polymeric boron catalyst (PBBN) using hydroboration to anchor borane centers on polyethylene.
Evaluated air and moisture tolerance of PBBN compared to small-molecule catalysts.
Assessed catalytic activity in the homopolymerization of PO and copolymerization of CHO/CO2.
Investigated proton tolerance during poly(cyclohexene carbonate) diol synthesis.
PBBN exhibited significantly better air and moisture tolerance than conventional small-molecule borane catalysts.
Demonstrated excellent catalytic performance in both homopolymerization and CO2 copolymerization processes.
Each boron atom in PBBN tolerated at least 50 equivalents of 1,4-butanediol, indicating strong proton tolerance.
Clustering effect from the aggregation of boron centers greatly enhanced catalytic efficiency.

Abstract

ABSTRACT Borane element as Lewis acids plays an indispensable role for epoxide/CO 2 copolymerization among metal‐free catalysts. Hence, we precisely designed a polymeric boron catalyst (PBBN) by anchoring multiple borane active centers onto the polyethylene chain via one‐step hydroboration reaction. PBBN shows better air and moisture tolerance compared to common borane‐based small‐molecule catalysts, thereby ensuring favorable safety profiles. Furthermore, it exhibits excellent catalytic activity in both the homopolymerization of PO and the copolymerization of CHO/CO 2 owing to the “clustering effect” arising from the aggregation of boron centers. Remarkably, PBBN demonstrated exceptional proton tolerance in poly(cyclohexene carbonate) diol (PCHCDL) synthesis with each boron atom capable of withstanding at least 50 equivalents of 1,4‐butanediol (BDO, equivalent to 100 proton equivalents), showing promising application potential in the polycarbonate diol synthesis.

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