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Structure-Property Relationship Analysis of D-Penicillamine-Derived β-Polythioesters with Varied Alkyl Side Groups

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Abstract

The ring-opening polymerization of heterocyclic monomers and the reversed ring-closing depolymerization of corresponding polymers with neutral thermodynamics are broadly explored to establish a circular economy of next-generation plastics. Polythioesters (PTEs), analogues of polyesters, are emerging materials for this purpose due to their high refractive index, high crystallinity, dynamic property and responsiveness. In this work, we synthesize and polymerize a series of D-penicillamine-derived β-thiolactones (NRPenTL) with varied side chain alkyl groups, and study the structure-property relationship of the resulting polymers. The obtained PTEs exhibit tunable glass transition temperature in a wide range of 130–50 °C, and melting temperature of 90–105 °C. In addition, copolymerizations of monomers with different side chains are effective in modulating material properties. The obtained homo and copolymers can be fully depolymerized to recycle monomers. This work provides a robust molecular platform and detailed structure-property relationship of PTEs with potential of achieving sustainable plastics.

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Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars (No. 22125101).

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  1. Bei**g National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Bei**g, 100871, China

    Chun-Yan Lyu, Wei **ong, Er-Qiang Chen & Hua Lu

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  1. Chun-Yan Lyu
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  2. Wei **ong
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Lyu, CY., **ong, W., Chen, EQ. et al. Structure-Property Relationship Analysis of D-Penicillamine-Derived β-Polythioesters with Varied Alkyl Side Groups. Chin J Polym Sci 41, 1555–1562 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10118-023-3001-8

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