Polymeric frustrated Lewis pairs in CO/cyclic ether coupling catalysis.

Frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) are now ubiquitous as metal-free catalysts in an array of different chemical transformations. In this paper we show that this reactivity can be transferred to a polymeric system, offering advantageous opportunities at the interface between catalysis and stimuli-responsive materials. Formation of cyclic carbonates from cyclic ethers using CO as a C feedstock continues to be dominated by metal-based systems.

Cyclic Ether Triggers for Polymeric Frustrated Lewis Pair Gels.

Sterically hindered Lewis acid and base centers are unable to form Lewis adducts, instead forming frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), where latent reactivity can be utilized for the activation of small molecules. Applying FLP chemistry into polymeric frameworks transforms this chemistry into responsive and functional materials. Here, we report a versatile synthesis strategy for the preparation of macromolecular FLPs and explore its potential with the ring-opening reactions of cyclic ethers.