Betulin is a naturally occuring triterpene and can be extracted from birch bark in up to 30% yield. Its diol nature makes it an ideal choice for polycondensation and polyaddition reactions (see Figure 1). We studied its usefulness for the preparation of microporous linear and cross-linked polyesters and polyurethanes. The OH groups can also serve as initiators for anionic polymerization of ethylene oxide (EO), which results in new renewable amphiphiles. The self-assembly of betulin-PEO conjugates of varying PEO length and multiblock copolymers in water was studied and will be discussed.

Polymers from birch bark: Microporous membranes and new amphiphiles

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.