Synthesis of Hypercrosslinked Polymers Using Coconut Oil as Renewable, Bio-Based Solvent

Abstract

We report a sustainable approach to the synthesis of hypercrosslinked polymers by replacing conventional chlorinated solvents with renewable bio-based oils. Hypercrosslinked polymers are widely used porous materials in both academic and industrial settings, yet their synthesis remains heavily reliant on chlorinated solvents subject to growing regulatory restrictions due to their environmental and health hazards. Here, we identify coconut oil as an effective alternative solvent for the synthesis of high surface area hypercrosslinked polymers (>650 m²/g) with excellent thermal and chemical stability. We explore the role of fatty acid composition in the oil, finding that saturated acid content correlates to network porosity. By demonstrating that benign, renewable substrates can replace hazardous solvents, this work provides a timely and practical step toward greener polymer production methods.