Anionic synthesis and end-functionalization of polymyrcene in a flow microreactor system

Abstract

In the search for flexible and sustainable methods for the synthesis of macromolecular scaffolds, microflow systems exhibit unrivalled qualities, as exemplified by the fine control of mass and thermal transfers. Therefore, the development of the polymerization of a bio-based monomer under flow conditions represents a major topic in the current context. In order to provide a system combining safer conditions and a firm grip on polymerization, we now report that the anionic polymerization of myrcene can be finely tuned in a microflow reactor to afford low molar mass polymyrcene (PMYR). We also showed that carbon dioxide could be trapped, with a further inlet onto the telescoped flow set-up, to introduce a carboxylic acid ending onto PMYR. In parallel, a kinetic model that can perfectly predict the outcome of the polymerization under such flow conditions has been developed.