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Bio-based polyesters synthesised from furanic cyclobutane diacid
Researchers have developed a novel bio-based monomer from furfural that serves as a platform for semi-rigid polyester production. The materials show good thermal stability and tunable glass transition temperatures.
The demand for renewable feedstocks in polymer chemistry has brought furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural derivatives into focus. An international research team now reports the successful synthesis of 3,4-di(furan-2-yl)cyclobutane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (CBDA), a rigid bio-based monomer. CBDA was produced through a green, UV-mediated solid-state dimerisation reaction starting from furfural-derived precursors.
Subsequent polymerisation with aliphatic diols of varying chain lengths was carried out in bulk using a two-step process. ATR-FTIR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy confirmed the successful synthesis. The resulting polyesters reached molecular weights of up to 11,200 g mol⁻¹.
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Thermal stability and tunable properties
Thermogravimetric analysis revealed good thermal stability with decomposition onset (Td10 %) between 263 and 284 °C and 50 % weight retention up to 388 °C. In addition, the polymers’ glass transition temperatures could be tailored between 6 and 52 °C depending on the diol employed.
These findings highlight the potential of CBDA as a renewable and versatile monomer for the development of sustainable polyesters with customisable properties, providing new momentum for the use of renewable resources in polymer and coatings industries.
Source: Grilo, L. M. et al., Synthesis of semi-rigid-biobased polyesters from renewable furanic cyclobutane diacid. Polymer Chemistry, Issue 34 (2025).
