Biocatalytic Synthesis of Epoxy Resins from Fatty Acids as a Versatile Route for the Formation of Polymer Thermosets with Tunable Properties

The work herein presented describes the synthesis and polymerization of series of bio-based epoxy resins prepared through lipase catalyzed transesterification. The epoxy-functional polyester resins with various architectures (linear, hi branched, and tetra-branched) were synthesized through condensation of fatty acids derived from epoxidized soybean oil and linseed oil with three different hydroxyl cores under bulk conditions. The selectivity of the lipases toward esterification/transesterification reactions allowed the formation of macromers with up to 12 epoxides in the backbone. The high degree of functionality of the resins resulted in polymer thermosets with T-g values ranging from 25 to over 100 degrees C prepared through cationic polymerization. The determining parameters of the synthesis and the mechanism for the formation of the species were determined through kinetic studies by H-1 NMR, SEC, and molecular modeling studies. The correlation between macromer structure and thermoset properties was studied through real-time FTIR measurements, DSC, and DMA.