Recyclable polymer functionalization via end-group modification and block/random copolymerization

Abstract

Recyclable polymers offer a great opportunity to address the environmental issues of plastics. Herein, functionalization of recyclable polymers, poly ((R)-3,4-trans six-membered ring-fused GBL) (P ((R)-M)), were reported via end-group modifications and block/random copolymerizations. Di-n-butylmagnesium was selected to catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of (R)-M in the presence of a series of functional alcohols as the initiators. Block/random copolymerizations of (R)-M and ε-caprolactone (ε-CL), l-lactide (L-LA) and trimethylene carbonate (TMC) were performed to control the onset decomposition temperature (Td), melting temperature (Tm) and glass transition temperature (Tg). These functionalized recyclable polymers would find broad applications as the sustainable plastics.