Synthesis and Characterization of a Terpene-Based Sustainable Polymer: Poly-alloocimene

We present the synthesis and characterization of a biobased sustainable polymer from alloocimene, a monoterpene from renewable resources, by redox emulsion polymerization under ambient conditions. Density functional theory was used to determine the ground-state optimized structure of alloocimene. Poly-alloocimene has a molecular weight of 14 200 Da and subzero glass transition temperature of 17 degrees C. The microstructure and properties were determined by FT-IR and NMR (1-D, 2-D) spectroscopies, differential thermal analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, and thermogravimetry.