Functionalizable and Recyclable Aliphatic Polycarbonates Derived from Biomass Feedstocks and CO2

Two bio-based seven-membered cyclic carbonate monomers M1 and M2 were synthesized in three steps from myrcene, which could produce polycarbonates via ring-opening polymerization using metal or organic catalysts. The functionalizable olefin moieties in resulting polycarbonates have driven post-polymerization modifications via radical cross-linking and hydrogenation, enabling the resulting polymers with tunable thermal properties. More importantly, the chemical recycling of P(M)s was achieved through monomer ? polymer ? dimer, which presented a platform for the synthesis of chemically recyclable biobased polycarbonates.

Automated summary

Two bio-based seven-membered cyclic carbonate monomers M1 and M2 were successfully synthesized from myrcene, and polycarbonates were obtained through ring-opening polymerization using metal or organic catalysts. The functionalizable olefin moieties in the resulting polycarbonates allowed post-polymerization modifications via radical cross-linking and hydrogenation, leading to polymers with tunable thermal properties. Importantly, chemical recycling of P(M)s was achieved through monomer-polymer-dimer, providing a platform for the synthesis of chemically recyclable biobased polycarbonates.