The synthesis of degradable aliphatic polycarbonates (APCs) from greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and epoxides has been a long-standing hotspot in the field of polymer science. Polypropylene carbonate (PPC) produced by the alternating copolymerization of CO

2

and propylene oxide has received the most attention because it exhibits many excellent properties and has a wide range of potential applications. Unfortunately

PPC is a weak polar hydrophobic polymer with weak interchain interaction

leading to its relatively low thermal stability and poor mechanical properties. These have limited PPC to practical applications as well as large-scale production. Chemical modification including terpolymerization

block copolymerization

graft copolymerization

chain extension

cross-linking

end-capping and so on is the most immediate and effective route to regulate the chain structure of PPC and further improve its properties. The present paper exhibits a brief review in the recent progress about this topic and discusses the existing problems. Some proposals about the chemical modification of PPC are put forwards to facilitate the development and applications of PPC.