Synthesis and characterization of fully-biobased α,ω-dihydroxyl poly(limonene carbonate)s and their initial evaluation in coating applications

alpha,omega-Dihydroxyl poly(limonene carbonate)s (PLCs) have been prepared by copolymerization of limonene oxide with CO2, using a beta-diiminate zinc-bis(trimethylsilyl)amido complex as the polymerization catalyst, and subsequent transcarbonation reactions using various (metallo)organic catalysts/polyol systems, viz. stannous octoate, (salen)AlEt (salen = 2,2'-ethylenebis(nitrilomethylidene)diphenol) and 1,5,7-triazabicyclo-[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) as the transcarbonation catalysts, combined with 1,3-propanediol, 1,10-decanediol; isosorbide, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-2-ethylpropane-1,3-diol and pentaerythritol as the transcarbonation agents. The structure and end groups of the polymeric species in the PLCs were identified by MALDI-ToF-MS. For the first time, the alpha,omega-dihydroxyl PLCs were used in solvent casting and curing. Although only moderate properties were achieved so far due to incomplete curing, the fully bio-based PLCs with adequate molecular weights and glass transition temperatures are considered as promising resins for coating applications. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.