Metal-free and solvent-free access to alpha,omega-heterodifunctionalized poly(propylene oxide)s by N-heterocyclic carbene-induced ring opening polymerization.

A N-heterocyclic carbene, namely, 1,3-bis-(diisopropyl)imidazol-2-ylidene either directly initiates or catalyzes the metal-free ring opening polymerization of neat propylene oxide at 50 degrees C, affording well-defined alpha,omega-heterodifunctionalized poly(propylene oxide) oligomers.