Lignin‐based polymers via graft copolymerization

Lignin is an important source of synthetic materials because of its abundance in nature, low cost, stable supply, and no competition to the human food supply. Lignin, a cross‐linked phenolic polymer, contains a large number of aromatic groups that can be used as a substitute for petroleum‐based aromatic fine chemicals. However, modification of lignin is necessary for its application in advanced materials due to its chemically inert nature and structural complexity. Polymeric modification of lignin via graft copolymerization represents an important avenue for modification because this method forms stable covalent bond linkages between lignin and synthetic functional polymers. In this review, we discuss recent synthetic strategies toward polymeric modification of lignin using graft copolymerization and the special properties and applications of the produced lignin copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3515–3528     

Partially bio‐based tri‐ and hexaallyl monomers: Synthesis from naturally occurring myo‐inositol and polyaddition with dithiols

myo‐Inositol, a naturally occurring cyclic hexaol, was converted to 2,4,6‐tri‐O‐allyl‐myo‐inositol and 1,2,3,4,5,6‐hexa‐O‐allyl‐myo‐inositol. Polyaddition of the former product, a tri(allyl ether) bearing three hydroxyl groups, with dithiols yielded the corresponding networked polymers. Their glass transition temperatures (T_gs) were higher than those of networked polymers formed by the polyaddition of 1,3,5‐tri‐O‐methyl‐2,4,6‐tri‐O‐allyl‐myo‐inositol. This implied the reinforcement of the networks by hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups. Polyaddition of the latter product, a hexa(allyl ether), with dithiols yielded the corresponding networked polymers with much higher T_gs than those of all of the aforementioned networked polymers. This implied that efficient use of the hexafunctional monomer leads to the formation of more densely crosslinked polymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1524–1529     

New Bio-Based Furanic Materials Effectively Absorb Metals from Water and Exert Antimicrobial Activity

Development of sustainable bio-based materials for removal of toxic contaminants from water is a high priority goal. Novel bio-based binary and ternary copolymers with enhanced ion-exchange, adsorption and antibacterial properties were obtained by using plant biomass-derived diallyl esters of furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) as crosslinking agents and easily available vinyl monomers. The synthesized copolymer materials showed higher sorption capacities for Ni^II, Co^II and Cu^II compared to the commercial ion-exchange resins, and they maintained their high metal adsorption capacities for over 10 cycles of regeneration. The synthesized copolymer gels containing 1–5 wt % of the crosslinker showed excellent water absorption capacities. The synthesized copolymers with 1 % crosslinker content showed swelling ratios high enough to also act as moisture absorbents. Synthesized copolymers with crosslinker content of 10 wt % performed as contact-active antibacterials by inhibiting the growth of Gram-positive (S. aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (E. coli, K. pneumonia) in suspension tests.     

A facile method to synthesize high‐molecular‐weight biobased polyesters from 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid and long‐chain diols

In this study, biobased furan dicarboxylate polyesters have been prepared using 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and diols with high number of methylene groups (long‐chain diols), namely, 8, 9, 10, and 12. Because of the high boiling points of these diols, a modified procedure of the well‐known melt polycondensation was applied in this work. According to this, the dimethyl ester of FDCA (DMFD) reacted in the first transesterification stage with the corresponding diols forming bis‐hydroxy‐alkylene furan dicarboxylates (BHFD). In the second stage, the BHFD reacted with DMFD again at temperatures of 150–170 °C (for 4–5 h), and in the final stage, the temperature was raised to 210–230 °C (vacuum was applied for 2–3 h). The molecular weight of the polyesters and the content of oligomers, as was verified by gel permeation chromatography analysis, depend on the polycondensation time and temperature. The chemical structure of the polyesters was verified from ¹H NMR spectroscopy. All the polymers were found to be semicrystalline, with melting temperatures from 69 to 140 °C depending on the diol used. In addition, the mechanical properties also varied with the type of diol. The higher values were observed for poly(octylene 2,5‐furanoate), whereas the lowest values were observed for poly(dodecylene 2,5‐furanoate) with the higher number of methylene groups in its repeating unit. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2617–2632     

Biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) crosslinked by reversible Diels–Alder reaction

We synthesized biobased poly(2,5‐furandimethylene succinate‐co‐butylene succinate) [P(FS‐co‐BS)] copolymers by polycondensation of 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan, 1,4‐butanediol, and succinic acid. These copolymers could be crosslinked to form network polymers by means of a reversible Diels–Alder reaction with bis‐maleimide. The thermal properties, mechanical properties, and healing abilities of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the network polymers were investigated. The mechanical properties of the network polymers depended on the comonomer composition of the P(FS‐co‐BS)s and the maleimide/furan ratio in the network polymers. Some of the copolymers exhibited healing ability at room temperature, and their healing efficiency was enhanced by solvent or heat. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 216–222     

Contribution à l'étude Électrochimique de Dérivés de l'Acide Mercapto-2 Pyridinecarboxylique-5. II

Abstract

Electrochemical caracteristics of 2-mercaptopyridine-5-carboxylic acid and its methylic ester have been determined using recent polarographic techniques. Measurements have been carried out as a function of parameters such as frequency, others surimposed signals and as a function of concentration and pH. Results are compared to those obtained for selectively methylated on sulfur or nitrogen atoms derivatives. Interpretations of the data are given. The optimal conditions for a quantitative determination by D.C. and differential pulse polarography are fixed.     

Monomers and polymers from plant oils via click chemistry reactions

As a consequence of the depleting of fossil reserves and environmental issues, today, plant oils and fatty acids derived therefrom have a respectable status within the polymer chemistry community. However, maximizing the benefits of these renewable feedstocks requires the utilization of sustainable and efficient chemical transformations. The emergence of click chemistry concept and especially the renaissance of thiol‐ene addition reaction have had an impact on the way to make plant oil‐derived polymers. This highlight discusses the applicability and success of thiol‐ene addition and other click reactions in the transformation of oleochemicals into monomers and polymers. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013     

Enzymatic syntheses of unsaturated polyesters based on isosorbide and isomannide

The search for materials produced from renewable sources aiming at the substitution of petroleum‐based derivates is an area of intense investigation. In this work, the enzymatic copolymerization of isosorbide or isomannide with diethyl adipate and fractions of different unsaturated diesters (diethyl itaconate, diethyl fumarate, diethyl glutaconate, and diethyl hydromuconate) were examined using CAL‐B as catalyst. The polyesters prepared using one‐step syntheses were characterized by SEC, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF MS. In addition, syntheses with linear diols were carried out in bulk to evaluate the reactivity of cyclic diols in producing unsaturated polyesters using enzymatic catalysis, as well as to evaluate the occurrence of addition side reactions on the double bonds. Isosorbide and isomannide yielded unsaturated polymers with values in the order of 4,000‐16,000 when fumarate or glutaconate esters were added in 5 mol % ratio against adipate. In all cases MALDI‐TOF confirmed the presence of unsaturated units. Although these polyesters have unreacted double bonds they are prone to crosslinking and ready to further functionalization, like anchoring bioactive molecules. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3881–3891     

Strong and Superhydrophobic Wood with Aligned Cellulose Nanofibers as a Waterproof Structural Material†

Lightweight structural materials are important for the energy efficiency of applications, particularly those in the building sector. Here, inspired by nature, we developed a strong, superhydrophobic, yet lightweight material by simple in situ growth of nano‐SiO₂ and subsequent densification of the wood substrate. In situ generation of SiO₂ nanoparticles both inside the wood channels and on the wood surfaces gives the material superhydrophobicity, with static and dynamic contact angles of 159.4^o and 3^o, respectively. Densification of the wood to remove most of the spaces among the lumen and cell walls results in a laminated, dense structure, with aligned cellulose nanofibers, which in turn contributes to a high mechanical strength up to 384.2 MPa (7‐times higher than natural wood). Such treatment enables the strong and superhydrophobic wood (SH‐Wood) to be stable and have excellent water, acid, and alkaline resistance. The high mechanical strength of SH‐Wood combined with its excellent structural stability in harsh environments, as well its low density, positions the strong and superhydrophobic wood as a promising candidate for strong, lightweight, and durable structural materials that could potentially replace steel.