High molar mass poly(ricinoleic acid) via entropy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Abstract

High molar mass poly(ricinoleic acid) with a weight average molar mass over 400 kg mol⁻¹ was synthesized via entropy-driven ring-opening metathesis polymerization of mono-, di- and mixed macrolactones of ricinoleic acid using a Grubbs second-generation catalyst and fully characterized. The high molar mass was achieved by reducing the catalyst loading, and the resultant polymer product had a very low level of ruthenium (36 ppm as Ru based on G2 feed), was colorless and exhibited a high decomposition temperature without purification steps aimed at removing ruthenium.