Towards Truly Sustainable Polymers: A Metal‐Free Recyclable Polyester from Biorenewable Non‐Strained γ‐Butyrolactone
Abstract
The first effective organopolymerization of the biorenewable “non‐polymerizable” γ‐butyrolactone (γ‐BL) to a high‐molecular‐weight metal‐free recyclable polyester is reported. The superbase tert ‐Bu‐P 4 is found to directly initiate this polymerization through deprotonation of γ‐BL to generate reactive enolate species. When combined with a suitable alcohol, the tert ‐Bu‐P 4 ‐based system rapidly converts γ‐BL into polyesters with high monomer conversions (up to 90 %), high molecular weights ( M n up to 26.7 kg mol −1 ), and complete recyclability (quantitative γ‐BL recovery).
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A clean and quantitative thermal recycling of these polymers was achieved by simply heating the bulk material at 220 °C (for the linear polymer) or 300 °C (for the cyclic polymer).
“A clean and quantitative thermal recycling of these polymers was achieved by simply heating the bulk material at 220 °C (for the linear polymer) or 300 °C (for the cyclic polymer).”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [460]
At -40 °C and ambient pressure, the ROP of γ-BL proceeded smoothly in the presence of a catalyst (La[N(SiMe3)2]3 or tert-Bu-P4) to high conversions within 24 h, generating poly(γ-BL) with Mn up to 30 kDa and Ð ~ 2.0.
“At -40 °C and ambient pressure, the ROP of γ-BL proceeded smoothly in the presence of a catalyst (La[N(SiMe3)2]3 or tert-Bu-P4) to high conversions within 24 h, generating poly(γ-BL) with Mn up to 30 kDa and Ð ~ 2.0.”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [460]
The topologies of the products can be controlled by the La[N(SiMe3)2]3/ROH ratios, with excess ROH favoring the formation of linear chains.
“The topologies of the products can be controlled by the La[N(SiMe3)2]3/ROH ratios, with excess ROH favoring the formation of linear chains.”
From Catalysis as an Enabling Science for Sustainable Polymers (2018) · cites this paper as [460]
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References 58 · Cited by 259
- Authors
- Hong, M., & Chen, E. Y. ‐.
- Affiliations
- Colorado State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Chen, Eugene Y.‐X.
- Venue
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-03
- Volume
- 55
- Issue
- 13
- Pages
- 4188-4193
- ISSN
- 1433-7851 (ISSN-L)
- 1521-3773
- OpenAlex
- W2291501645
- Cited by
- 259
- References
- 58
- Citations by year
- 2026: 8 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 29 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 31 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 25 · 2016: 10
- FWCI
- 12.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Angewandte Chemie International Edition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- United States National Science Foundation (CHE-1300267)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Biomaterials › biodegradable polymer synthesis and properties
- Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Advanced Polymer Synthesis and Characterization
- Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Process Chemistry and Technology › Carbon dioxide utilization in catalysis
- Keywords
- gamma-butyrolactone, metal-free polymerization, enolate intermediate, bio-based monomers, polyester recycling, sustainable polymers
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