Citronella-based polyesters by organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization and their recyclable crosslinked films

Independence of food supply chain is a grand challenge encountered by the development of bio-based polymers. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of amorphous aliphatic polyesters via organocatalyzed ring-opening poly-merization of 9-membered lactone monomer, a novel downstream product of non-edible citronella oil. In particular, chemical transformation of trisubstituted alkene moiety owned by this renewable biomass was ach-ieved by cross-metathesis of this bulky group with methyl acrylate. Three-armed star polymers were converted to free-standing films by UV-induced crosslinking. In particular, these crosslinked thin films could be efficiently recycled as omega-hydroxy ester upon methanolysis. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and application of terpene-and terpenoid-based polymers.

Automated summary

In this study, amorphous aliphatic polyesters were successfully synthesized via organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization. The monomer of the polyester is a novel downstream product of non-edible citronella oil. The chemical transformation of the alkene moiety owned by the renewable biomass was achieved through cross-metathesis with methyl acrylate. The three-armed star polymers were converted into free-standing films by UV-induced crosslinking, and these crosslinked thin films could be efficiently recycled as omega-hydroxy ester through methanolysis. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and application of terpene- and terpenoid-based polymers.