Syntheses and Characterization of Transition Metal Complexes of 2,2′-biimidazole Containing Polycarbonates

Polycarbonates containing 2,2′-biimidazole have been used to synthesize and characterize the new non-pendent, non-bridging polycarbonate supported transition metal complexes. This polymer-bound metal complexes were prepared from the reaction of metal ion solutions with prepared parent polycarbonates and from the solution transesterification reaction between transition metal complexes of 1,1′-dihydroxyethyl-2,2′-biimidazole [HEB-M(II)] and diphenyl carbonate (DPC). Compared with the uncomplexed polycarbonates, isolated polymer complexes of Zn(II) and Cu(II) formed by HEB-M(II)/ DPC transesterification were found to have the lower molecular weight and thermal decomposition weight loss less than 3% at 200°C in air. Solution metal complexed parent polycarbonates showed the influence of the molecular steric factors that enhancs the degree of polymerization and extent of metal binding