Abstract
Bio-based unsaturated polyester resins derived from itaconic acid can be an alternative to established resins of this type in the field of radical-curing resins. However, one of the challenges of these polyester itaconates is the somewhat more elaborate synthetic process, especially under polycondensation conditions used on an industrial scale. The α,β-unsaturated double bond of the itaconic acid is prone to side reactions that can lead to the gelation of the polyester resin under standard conditions. This is especially true when bio-based diols such as 1,3-propanediol or 1,4-butanediol are used to obtain resins that are 100% derived from renewable resources. It was observed in earlier studies that high amounts of these aliphatic diols in the polyester lead to low conversion and gelation of the resins. In this work, a catalytic study using different diols was performed in order to elucidate the reasons for this behavior. It was shown that the choice of catalyst has a crucial influence on the side reactions occurring during the polycondensation reactions. In addition, the side reactions taking place were identified and suppressed. These results will allow for the synthesis of polyester itaconates on a larger scale, setting the stage for their industrial application.
Highlights
Over the last decades, the chemical industry and academia have made considerable efforts to replace petrochemical feedstock with building blocks derived from renewable resources [1,2,3,4,5,6,7].bio-based building blocks can be more than a mere replacement for their petrochemical counterparts
There are still challenges that need to be addressed. This is especially true when new bio-based building blocks come into play that possess properties that are considerably different from established monomers derived from petrochemical feedstock
We showed that polycondensation reactions with itaconic acid under industry-relevant conditions can result in problems not occuring other polyester synthesis
Summary
The chemical industry and academia have made considerable efforts to replace petrochemical feedstock with building blocks derived from renewable resources [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. A lot of these components are only accessible by biotechnological pathways, and have unprecedented structures that are not economically viable when synthesized by classical petrochemical routes [8] Due to these new structures, bio-based building blocks have the potential to replace petrochemicals, but may allow for new transformations and applications that can, in turn, lead to new materials with unprecedented properties [9]. In this respect, itaconic acid (IA) has drawn considerable attention over recent years.
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