Highly Efficient Synthesis of Poly(silylether)s: Access to Degradable Polymers from Renewable Resources

The design of new materials with tunable properties and intrinsic recyclability, derived from biomass under mild conditions, stands as a gold standard in polymer chemistry. Reported herein are platinum complexes which catalyze the formation of poly(silylether)s (PSEs) at low catalyst loadings. These polymers are directly obtained from dual-functional biobased building blocks such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) or vanillin, coupled with various dihydrosilanes. Access to different types of copolymer architectures (statistical or alternating) is highlighted by several synthetic strategies. The materials obtained were then characterized as low T-g materials (ranging from -60 to 29 degrees C), stable upon heating (T-5% up to 301 degrees C) and resistant towards uncatalyzed methanolysis. Additionally, quantitative chemical recycling of several PSEs could be triggered by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis or methanolysis. These results emphasize the interest of biobased poly(silylether)s as sustainable materials with high recycling potential.

Automated summary

This study introduces a novel material design strategy using platinum complexes to catalyze the formation of recyclable poly(silylether)s from biomass-derived building blocks under mild conditions. The obtained polymers exhibit low T-g values, thermal stability, and resistance towards uncatalyzed methanolysis, with the ability to be chemically recycled through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis or methanolysis, showing great potential as sustainable materials.