Using Redox-Switchable Polymerization Catalysis to Synthesize a Chemically Recyclable Thermoplastic Elastomer.
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
; 63(6): e202317699, 2024 Feb 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38168073
ABSTRACT
In an effort to synthesize chemically recyclable thermoplastic elastomers, a redox-switchable catalytic system was developed to synthesize triblock copolymers containing stiff poly(lactic acid) (PLA) end blocks and a flexible poly(tetrahydrofuran-co-cyclohexene oxide) (poly(THF-co-CHO) copolymer as the mid-block. The orthogonal reactivity induced by changing the oxidation state of the iron-based catalyst enabled the synthesis of the triblock copolymers in a single reaction flask from a mixture of monomers. The triblock copolymers demonstrated improved flexibility compared to poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and thermomechanical properties that resemble thermoplastic elastomers, including a rubbery plateau in the range of -60 to 40 °C. The triblock copolymers containing a higher percentage of THF versus CHO were more flexible, and a blend of triblock copolymers containing PLLA and poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) end-blocks resulted in a stereocomplex that further increased polymer flexibility. Besides the low cost of lactide and THF, the sustainability of this new class of triblock copolymers was also supported by their depolymerization, which was achieved by exposing the copolymers sequentially to FeCl3 and ZnCl2 /PEG under reactive distillation conditions.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Angew Chem Int Ed Engl
/
Angew. Chem. (Int. ed., Internet)
/
Angewandte Chemie (International ed. Internet)
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Estados Unidos