Since the birth of synthetic polymers

researchers have usually constructed polymerization catalysts by the "trial and error" method based on their structural understanding of monomer and target polymer

which involves screening an active basic monomer unit followed by further optimization of the catalyst structure. Despite its remarkable success

this approach suffers from a lack of law resulting in a time-consuming and labor-intensive process. Recently

Wang and coworkers at Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry

Chinese Academy of Sciences

proposed a strategy for constructing polymeric catalyst. This novle design strategy is based on regulating the side chain structures of polymers by copolymerizing the monomeric aluminum complex and cocatalyst into a polymer chain

which enables the connection of active units to the side chains. The resulting polymeric aluminum porphyrin catalysts are then utilized for the copolymerization of CO

2

/epoxides

hence successfully addressing the issues of low efficiency and selectivity of the monomeric catalyst. Distinct from the singlet intramolecular interactions in conventional catalysts

the polymeric catalysts strategy can realize multiple intramolecular synergistic effects

thereby enhancing the error tolerance of catalyst design. Benefiting from the adaptability of monomers and controllability of polymer structures

the polymeric catalyst is expected to be a rich ore worthy of further exploring in the field of polymer synthetic chemistry

serving as a building block to the treasury of knowledge of polymer science.