Renewable and water-degradable polyimide-esters from citric acid

Citric acid is an abundant, naturally occurring small molecule that affords a cyclic imide when condensed with a primary amine. The reaction of a reduced derivative of citric acid and glycine yields a cyclic imide diacid. This monomer was copolymerized with a variety of linear diols and sugar-derived diols, yielding copolymers with a tunable glass transition temperature ranging from T-g = 25 to 134 & DEG;C. Unlike most polyesters, these polyimide-esters hydrolyze under environmentally-relevant conditions and thus, show promise as sustainable replacements for high T-g commodity plastics.

Automated summary

Citric acid can form a cyclic imide when combined with a primary amine. By reacting a reduced derivative of citric acid with glycine, a cyclic imide diacid can be obtained. This monomer can be copolymerized with various diols to produce copolymers with adjustable glass transition temperature from 25 to 134°C. These polyimide-esters can hydrolyze under environmentally-relevant conditions, making them potential sustainable replacements for high Tg commodity plastics.