Turning natural δ-lactones to thermodynamically stable polymers with triggered recyclability

摘要: To extend the use of naturally occurring substituted δ-lactones within polymer field, their commonly low ceiling temperature and thereby challenging equilibrium behavior needs to be addressed. A synthetic strategy control polymerization thermodynamics was therefore developed. This achieved by copolymerizing δ-decalactone (δDL) with either e-decalactone (eDL) or e-caprolactone (eCL) at room (RT), diphenyl phosphate (DPP) as catalyst. The thermodynamic stability PδDL-co-eDL PδDL-co-eCL increased comonomer ratio in feed, 10% 30% monomeric δDL, respectively, 110 °C. is contrast PδDL homopolymer, which under same conditions depolymerized 70% δDL equilibrium. copolymers’ macromolecular structure, originating from copolymerization kinetics, found crucial factor mitigate δDLs behavior. close loop, designing materials for a circular economy, recycling demonstrated, reaction benzyl alcohol (BnOH) an external nucleophile, leading cyclic monomers dimers BnOH high yield.