A starch based sustainable tough hyperbranched epoxy thermoset

A starch based sustainable high performing tough hyperbranched epoxy thermoset with exceptionally high tensile adhesive strength, and biodegradability was demonstrated.

l-Lactide polymerization catalysed by tin(ii) 2-ethyl-hexanoate. A deeper look at chain transfer reactions

Segmental exchange reactions inl-lactide polymerization catalysed by tin octoate yield chains with even and odd numbers of lactoyl units. The efficiency of the reactions depends on the position of the attacked unit in the chain. The terminal units are at least 100 times more reactive than others.

Alternating ring-opening copolymerization of styrene oxide and maleic anhydride using asymmetrical bis-Schiff-base metal(iii) catalysts

The ring-opening copolymerization of styrene oxide and maleic anhydride catalyzed by a series of [M(Ln)X] complexes based on the asymmetrical bis-Schiff-base ligands.

Zr(iv) complexes containing salan-type ligands: synthesis, structural characterization and role as catalysts towards the polymerization of ε-caprolactone, rac-lactide, ethylene, homopolymerization and copolymerization of epoxides with CO2

Three new Zr(iv) complexes bearing salan-type diamine bis(phenolato) ligands were synthesized and their activities towards the ROP of ε-CL, rac-LA and homopolymerization, copolymerization and coupling of epoxides with CO₂ were investigated.

Ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and anhydrides using manganese(iii) asymmetrical Schiff base complexes as catalysts

A series of [Mn(Ln)Cl] complexes 1–4 are obtained and shown to be effective catalysts in epoxide and anhydride ring-opening copolymerizations.

Comparing a series of 8-quinolinolato complexes of aluminium, titanium and zinc as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide

The preparation, characterization and properties of a series of 8-hydroxy quinolinolate complexes of Ti(iv), Al(iii) and Zn(ii) are presented. The complexes are active initiators for rac-lactide polymerizations: their performances are compared.

Monoamidinate titanium complexes: highly active catalysts for the polymerization and copolymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone

A series of titanium trichloroamidinate complexes with distinct ligand sets showed different abilities in the copolymerization of ε-caprolactone and l-lactide, producing copolymers ranging from gradient to truly random microstructures.

Ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP): synthesis and properties of polyesters and polycarbonates

This feature article highlights the opportunities presented by ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) as a controlled route to prepare polyesters and polycarbonates.

Ring-opening copolymerization of epoxide and dianhydride in the presence of manganese(III) asymmetrical bis-Schiff base catalysts

Based on a series of asymmetrical bis-Schiff base H2Ln (n = 1–4) ligands with different electronic and steric effects, a series of [Mn(Ln)Cl] complexes 1–4 are obtained and shown to be effective catalysts in ring-opening copolymerization of epoxides and dianhydrides. Through the structure design, the input of electron-withdrawing bromine substituent para to the phenoxide group of the complexes is considerately beneficial to the improved activities. Moreover, steric and electronic effects of the suitable MeO substituent at the ortho orientation on the phenoxide group may both play a role in the formation of alternating ring-opening copolymers under the identical reaction conditions. In three cocatalysts tested, n-Bu4NBr is positive to monomer conversion and chain growth of polymer.

Photo-cross-linked poly(thioether-co-carbonate) networks derived from the natural product quinic acid

Polycarbonate networks derived from the natural product quinic acid that can potentially return to their natural building blocks upon hydrolytic degradation are described herein. Solvent-free thiol-ene chemistry was utilized in the copolymerization of tris(alloc)quinic acid and a variety of multifunctional thiol monomers to obtain poly(thioether-co-carbonate) networks with a wide range of achievable thermomechanical properties including glass transition temperatures from -18 to +65 °C and rubbery moduli from 3.8 to 20 MPa. The network containing 1,2-ethanedithiol expressed an average toughness at 25 and 63 °C of 1.08 and 2.35 MJ/m(3), respectively, and an order-of-magnitude increase in the average toughness at 37 °C of 15.56 MJ/m(3).

Zinc and cobalt complexes based on tripodal ligands: synthesis, structure and reactivity toward lactide

The coordination chemistry of a series of pro-ligands ([L¹]-[L⁶]) with cobalt and zinc derivatives has been studied. All complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR, elemental analysis, and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Polymerization of rac-lactide takes place at 130 °C in the presence of cobalt and zinc complexes to yield polymers under solvent free conditions with controlled molecular masses and narrow polydispersities.

Diglycerol-based polyesters: melt polymerization with hydrophobic anhydrides

The melt polymerization of diglycerol with bicyclic anhydride monomers derived from a naturally occurring monoterpene provides an avenue for polyesters with a high degree of sustainability. The hydrophobic anhydrides are synthesized at ambient temperature via a solvent-free Diels-Alder reaction of α-phellandrene with maleic anhydride. Subsequent melt polymerizations with tetra-functional diglycerol are effective under a range of [diglycerol]/[anhydride] ratios. The hydrophobicity of α-phellandrene directly impacts the swelling behavior of the resulting polyesters. The low E factors (<2), large amount of bio-based content (>75%), ambient temperature monomer synthesis, and polymer degradability represent key factors in the design of these sustainable polyesters.

Zinc-Catalyzed Highly Isoselective Ring Opening Polymerization of rac-Lactide

A family of chiral zinc amido-oxazolinate complexes are shown to be highly active and isoselective initiators for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of rac-lactide, yielding isotactic stereoblock polylactides (PLA) with P_m up to 0.91. This represents the highest isoselectivity observed with zinc-based catalysts for ROP of rac-lactide.

Ring-Opening Polymerization of rac-Lactide with Aluminum Chiral Anilido-Oxazolinate Complexes

A series of dimethylaluminum complexes (L^1a–i)AlMe₂ (2a–i, where HL^1a–i = 2-(2′-ArNH)phenyl-4-R₁-oxazoline) bearing chiral, bidentate anilido-oxazolinate ligands have been prepared and characterized. Six of the complexes, in the presence of an alcohol cocatalyst, are shown to be active initiators for the stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide in toluene solution and under bulk conditions, yielding polylactides with a range of tacticity from slightly isotactic to moderately heterotactic. The reactivity and selectivity of these catalysts are discussed on the basis of the effect of their substituents.

Enhancing the melt stability of polylactide stereocomplexes using a solid-state cross-linking strategy during a melt-blending process

Selective cross-linking of PLLA and PDLA chain couples in the amorphous phase allows for the formation of stereocomplex (sc) crystallites in the continuous melting and recrystallization process to be perfectly reversible.

Enantiopure N,N,O-scorpionate zinc amide and chloride complexes as efficient initiators for the heteroselective ROP of cyclic esters

Amide-containing zinc heteroscorpionates can act as single-component initiators for the well-controlled ROP of rac-LA to produce heterotactic-enriched materials.

Polymerization of nonfood biomass-derived monomers to sustainable polymers

The development of sustainable routes to fine chemicals, liquid fuels, and polymeric materials from natural resources has attracted significant attention from academia, industry, the general public, and governments owing to dwindling fossil resources, surging energy demand, global warming concerns, and other environmental problems. Cellulosic material, such as grasses, trees, corn stover, or wheat straw, is the most abundant nonfood renewable biomass resources on earth. Such annually renewable material can potentially meet our future needs with a low carbon footprint if it can be efficiently converted into fuels, value added chemicals, or polymeric materials. This chapter focuses on various renewable monomers derived directly from cellulose or cellulose platforms and corresponding sustainable polymers or copolymers produced therefrom. Recent advances related to the polymerization processes and the properties of novel biomass-derived polymers are also reviewed and discussed.

Towards high-performance poly(l-lactide)/elastomer blends with tunable interfacial adhesion and matrix crystallization via constructing stereocomplex crystallites at the interface

Preparing super-tough and heat-resistant PLLA/elastomer blends by constructing stereocomplex crystallites at the interface to simultaneously tailor interface and matrix properties.

Renewable polyesters derived from 10-undecenoic acid and vanillic acid with versatile properties

A series of renewable polyesters were synthesized derived from 10-undecenoic acid and vanillic acid. An outstanding feature is that the incorporation of vanillic acid segments into the polyester backbone results in improved mechanical properties.

Replacing tin in lactide polymerization: design of highly active germanium-based catalysts

Most germane: Hexacoordinate germanium(IV) species exhibit unprecedented activities, yet controlled behavior, as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide to form polylactide polymers.