Carbonylative Polymerization of Propylene Oxide: A Multicatalytic Approach to the Synthesis of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate)

We report a highly efficient method for the synthesis of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by the carbonylative polymerization of propylene oxide. The use of compatible epoxide carbonylation and lactone polymerization catalysts allows for a one-pot reaction that eliminates the need to isolate and purify the toxic β-butyrolactone intermediate.