RESUMEN
Starting from common monounsaturated fatty acids, a strategy is revealed that provides ultra-long aliphatic α,ω-difunctional building blocks by a sequence of two scalable catalytic steps that virtually double the chain length of the starting materials. The central double bond of the α,ω-dicarboxylic fatty acid self-metathesis products is shifted selectively to the statistically much-disfavored α,ß-position in a catalytic dynamic isomerizing crystallization approach. "Chain doubling" by a subsequent catalytic olefin metathesis step, which overcomes the low reactivity of this substrates by using waste internal olefins as recyclable co-reagents, yields ultra-long-chain α,ω-difunctional building blocks of a precise chain length, as demonstrated up to a C48 chain. The unique nature of these structures is reflected by unrivaled melting points (Tm =120 °C) of aliphatic polyesters generated from these telechelic monomers, and by their self-assembly to polyethylene-like single crystals.
RESUMEN
Starting from readily available oleic and erucic acid, macrocyclic nonadecalactone (C19 ) and tricosalactone (C23 ) can be synthesized in polymerization grade purity in a four-step reaction sequence. Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of these strainless macrolactones can be performed utilizing an enzyme as a catalyst. Despite the missing ring-strain as key driving force for smaller (strained) lactones, high molar masses (Mn ≈ 105 g mol-1 ) can be accessed in an entropically driven ROP. Polyester-19 and polyester-23 prepared feature melting temperatures well above 100 °C. Further analysis of the mechanical properties of these materials displays the resemblance to polyethylene. For example, Young's moduli on the order of 600 MPa are observed as a result of the high crystallinity of the polymer.
