Themed collection Sustainable Polymers
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Introduction to the themed collection on sustainable polymers
Antoine Buchard and Tanja Junkers introduce the Polymer Chemistry themed collection on Sustainable Polymers.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 1785-1786
https://doi.org/10.1039/D2PY90028A
Progress on chemical modification of cellulose in “green” solvents
Chemical modification of cellulose in "green" solvents.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 359-372
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00879J
Protecting-group-free synthesis of thiol-functionalized degradable polyesters
Protecting-group-free synthesis of thiol-functionalized degradable polyesters has been developed by using chemoselective catalysis and microflow technology.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1749-1757
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00014D
A guide towards safe, functional and renewable BPA alternatives by rational molecular design: structure–property and structure–toxicity relationships
Putting the pieces together: a guide for rational molecular design of safe, functional and renewable BPA alternatives.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5870-5901
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00909E
Recent developments towards performance-enhancing lignin-based polymers
This review examines recent strategies, challenges, and future opportunities in preparing high-performance polymeric materials from lignin and its derivable compounds.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4130-4158
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00694K
Synthesis and polymerization of bio-based acrylates: a review
Acrylates and polyacrylates have been produced massively due to their interesting applications like Plexiglas.
Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 7452-7470
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01222J
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Inherently degradable cross-linked polyesters and polycarbonates: resins to be cheerful
We summarise the most recent advances in the synthesis and characterisation of degradable thermosetting polyester and polycarbonates, including partially degradable systems derived from itaconic acid and isosorbide.
Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 6397-6412
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01226B
Sustainable synthesis of CO2-derived polycarbonates from D-xylose
Synthetic transformation of D-xylose into a four-membered cyclic ether allows for reactions with CO2 leading to linear polycarbonates by either ring-opening copolymerisation directly or by isolation of a six-membered cyclic carbonate followed by ring-opening polymerisation.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5271-5278
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00784J
Limonene as a renewable unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent for living anionic polymerization of β-myrcene
The acyclic monoterpene β-myrcene is polymerized by living anionic polymerization at room temperature using the cyclic monoterpene limonene as an unsaturated hydrocarbon solvent.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3084-3087
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00570G
Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of a levoglucosenone-derived bi-functional monomer and its ring-opening metathesis polymerization in the green solvent Cyrene™
The levoglucosenone-based norbornenes family was extended to include a new bi-functional methacrylate monomer that, upon ROMP in Cyrene™, leads to polymers with pendent methacrylate moieties which can be modified by post-polymerization reactions.
Polym. Chem., 2020,11, 7471-7475
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01471K
Access to high-molecular-weight poly(γ-butyrolactone) by using simple commercial catalysts
The simple commercial organomagnesium catalysts were utilized for efficient access to high-molecular-weight poly(γ-butyrolactone) and facile manipulation of the reaction conditions enabled the polymer topology controlled.
Polym. Chem., 2022,13, 439-445
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY01340H
Ring opening polymerization of β-acetoxy-δ-methylvalerolactone, a triacetic acid lactone derivative
We report here the synthesis and polymerization of a novel disubstituted valerolactone, β-acetoxy-δ-methylvalerolactone, derived from the renewable feedstock triacetic acid lactone (TAL).
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 6724-6730
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00561H
Structure–property relationships of core-substituted diaryl dihydrophenazine organic photoredox catalysts and their application in O-ATRP
Photoinduced organocatalyzed atom-transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is a controlled radical polymerization technique that can be driven using low-energy, visible light and makes use of organic photocatalysts.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 6110-6122
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY01060C
Degradability, thermal stability, and high thermal properties in spiro polycycloacetals partially derived from lignin
Spiro polycycloacetals were synthesized from vanillin and syringaldehyde, along with high-performance co-monomers, exhibiting high glass transition temperatures and thermal stabilities, and rapid rates of hydrolysis in acidic solutions.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5986-5998
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY01017D
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Renewable and recyclable covalent adaptable networks based on bio-derived lipoic acid
Lipoic acid provides a modular and bio-sourced platform from which the create covalent adaptable network materials.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5796-5802
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00754H
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Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks based on renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange
Long-chain polyamide covalent adaptable networks with high strength and short relaxation times were prepared based on a renewable ethylene brassylate and disulfide exchange.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5668-5678
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00811K
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Polyesters with bio-based ferulic acid units: crosslinking paves the way to property consolidation
A bio-based ferulic acid monomer is inserted in random terpolyesters with high molar mass and offers the possibility of crosslinking after processing. Both ferulate monomer and solvent-free polycondensation make the new materials more sustainable.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5139-5148
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00851J
Investigating the effect of α-pinene on the ROMP of δ-pinene
Ring opening metathesis polymerization of δ-pinene with varying amounts of α-pinene is explored.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 5048-5058
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00931A
Polyvinyl alcohol modification with sustainable ketones
Water-degradable polyvinyl ketals with high glass transition temperatures (78–127 °C) were made via ketalization of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with sustainable ketones.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4961-4973
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00656H
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Synthetic lignin-like and degradable nanocarriers
Bio-based lignin-like building blocks were synthesized and transformed into polyurethane nanocarriers by interfacial polymerization in a miniemulsion. The nanocarriers were degradable by fungal enzymes and might be used for agrochemical delivery.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4661-4667
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00818H
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Polymers from sugars and CS2: ring opening copolymerisation of a D-xylose anhydrosugar oxetane
An oxetane derived from D-xylose has been copolymerised with CS2 into sulfur-containing polymers which are chemically recyclable and degradable under UV light.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4253-4261
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00753J
Novel imino- and aryl-sulfonate based photoacid generators for the cationic ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone
The use of photoacid generators for the ring opening polymerization of cyclic esters is investigated.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4035-4042
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00734C
Stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of functional β-lactones: influence of the exocyclic side-group
Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are a unique class of polyesters especially due to their chemical diversity imparted by their side-chain substituent that provides a handle to tune their properties, such as their thermal, mechanical and (bio)degradability signature.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 4022-4034
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00669J
Compartmentalized polymerization in aqueous and organic media to low-entangled ultra high molecular weight polyethylene
Catalytic polymerization in compartmentalized aqueous or non-aqueous media, respectively, with functional-group tolerant Ni(II) catalysts yields low-entangled UHMWPE.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3116-3123
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00394A
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RAFT polymerisation of renewable terpene (meth)acrylates and the convergent synthesis of methacrylate–acrylate–methacrylate triblock copolymers
We now report the synthesis of well-defined terpene-based polymers and precise di- and multiblock copolymer architectures by use of RAFT, wide range of Tg and promising adhesive properties are observed.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 3177-3189
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00326G
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Synthesis of water-soluble surfactants using catalysed condensation polymerisation in green reaction media
Synthesis and characterisation of novel linear surface-active polymers from temperature sensitive renewable building blocks using an inexpensive catalyst and clean scCO2 as reaction medium.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 2992-3003
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00415H
Polyamides containing a biorenewable aromatic monomer based on coumalate esters: from synthesis to evaluation of the thermal and mechanical properties
A new biobased alternative for terephthalic acid (TPA) in (semi-)aromatic polyamides is proposed, namely 4-carboxybenzene propionic acid (4CBPA).
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 2379-2388
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00005E
Cationic polyurethane from CO2-polyol as an effective barrier binder for polyaniline-based metal anti-corrosion materials
An internal crosslinked waterborne cationic polyurethane from CO2-polyol featuring neutral characterization was designed and prepared for the development of a sustainable polyaniline-based metal anti-corrosion material.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1950-1956
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01757D
Terpenoid-derived conjugated dienes with exo-methylene and a 6-membered ring: high cationic reactivity, regioselective living cationic polymerization, and random and block copolymerization with vinyl ethers
Biobased exo-methylene-conjugated dienes underwent regioselective living cationic polymerization to result in well-defined homo- and copolymers with good thermal properties.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1186-1198
https://doi.org/10.1039/D1PY00035G
Sustainable thermoplastic elastomers produced via cationic RAFT polymerization
Cationic polymerization enables production of sustainable thermoplastic elastomers constructed from renewable vinyl ethers and -p-methoxystyrene with properties consistent with their petroleum-derived counterparts.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1097-1104
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01640C
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Make or break: Mg(II)- and Zn(II)-catalen complexes for PLA production and recycling of commodity polyesters
A series of Mg(II) and Zn(II) catalen complexes have been prepared for PLA formation and recycling.
Polym. Chem., 2021,12, 1086-1096
https://doi.org/10.1039/D0PY01519A
About this collection
This special issue, Guest Edited by Antoine Buchard (University of Bath) and Tanja Junkers (Monash University) presents the most important developments in these fields in novel synthetic methodology and making use of modern methods such as continuous flow chemistry or energy-efficient photochemical reactions for sustainable polymer synthesis.