Direct Synthesis of Polycarbonate from Carbon Monoxide and Bisphenol A Using Efficient Pd Complex Catalyst Systems

A direct oxidative carbonylation procedure of Bisphenol A to polycarbonate catalyzed with efficient Pd complex systems has been developed. Pd/2,2'-bipyridyl complexes possessing 6,6'-dimethyl substitutents, Pd/2,2'-biquinoline complexes, and dinuclear Pd complexes bridged with a pyridylphosphine ligand were found to give higher molecular weights and yields than conventional Pd catalyst systems. Highest molecular weight (M n = 5 600, M w = 12 900) and yield (86%) were obtained using the Pd/6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridyl complex system.