Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) is a powerful synthetic methodology for the chemical synthesis of technologically important biodegradable aliphatic polyesters from cyclic esters or lactones. However, the bio-derived five-membered <i>γ</i>-butyrolactone (GBL) is commonly referred as "non-polymerizable" due to its low strain energy. Recently, we have discovered thermodynamic and catalytic conditions that enabled the effective ROP of GBL, affording high-molecular-weight sustainable poly(GBL). Remarkably, both linear and cyclic poly(GBL)s can be recycled back to the monomer in quantitative yield by simply heating the bulk materials at 220 °C (for the linear polymer) or 300 °C (for the cyclic polymer), thereby demonstrating their complete recyclability. These results revealed a class of truly sustainable (renewable and recyclable) polymers. Other related non-strained lactones have also been investigated for their polymerizability toward the ROP to produce the corresponding polyesters.

Renewable and recyclable polyesters by ring-opening polymerization of bio-derived non-strained lactones

251st National Meeting (2016)

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