Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of renewable acid-degradable poly(β-thioether ester) and poly(β-thioether ester-co-ricinoleic acid) copolymers derived from castor oil

Publication date: December 2019Source: European Polymer Journal, Volume 121Author(s): Wan-Xia Wu, Jun Li, Xian-Ling Yang, Na Wang, Xiao-Qi YuAbstractHigh-molecular-weight renewable semicrystalline poly(β-thioether ester) with acid-labile β-thiopropionate groups was synthesized via Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB)-catalyzed polycondensation of methyl 3-((11-hydroxyundecyl)thio)propanoate (MHUTP) derived from castor oil. The monmer was obtained through thiol-ene click chemistry. The influences of polymerization conditions such as reaction temperature and time on the molecular weight were studied. Copolymerization of MHUTP with methyl ricinoleate (MRA), another castor oil-derived renewable monmer, led to the synthesis of novel bifunctional poly(β-thioether ester-co-ricinoleic acid), poly(UTE-co-RA), copolymers with well-defined composition and narrow polydispersity. The homopolymers and random copolymers were characterized by NMR, GPC, TGA, DSC and WAXD. The degradation rate of the polymers under acidic conditions was investigated.Graphical abstract

Source: European Polymer Journal - December 5, 2019 Category: Chemistry Source Type: research