Backbone Cleavable Polymethacrylates Via Optimized Thionolactone Comonoemers
This technology comprises a chemical formula for thionolactones, which may be useful as comonomers for copolymerization. Thionolactone-based polymethacrylates represent a novel class of polymers that incorporate cleavable thioester groups into their backbone, enabling their degradation into smaller fragments. Utilizing radical ring-opening polymerization (rROP), these polymers are synthesized by copolymerizing thionolactones with methacrylates, resulting in degradable random copolymers. This technology marks a significant advancement in sustainable materials, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional non-degradable polymers.
Researchers
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backbone cleavable polymethacrylates via thionolactone comonoemers
Patent Cooperation Treaty | Pending
Technology
The synthesis of backbone cleavable polymethacrylates begins with thionolactones—comonomers that can copolymerize with methacrylates to produce random copolymers. By employing rROP, cleavable thioester groups are randomly integrated into polymer backbones. The resulting polymers are backbone-degradable, allowing them to be broken down under specific conditions for recycling, upcycling, or biodegradation schemes.
Problem Addressed
This technology addresses the need for degradable polymethacrylates by incorporating cleavable thionolactones into polymer backbones. Previously, the development of such materials has faced challenges due to the reaction kinetics of methacrylate polymerization, making it difficult for cleavable comonomers to be inserted into the polymer backbone randomly. The disclosed technology presents optimized thionolactone comonomers capable of forming eco-friendly, degradable polymethacrylates.
Advantages
- Enables the creation of polymers with cleavable thioester groups in their backbones, thereby allowing for degradation into small fragments suitable for recycling or biodegradation
- Offers a new approach to polymer design by utilizing thionolactones as comonomers, which have not been previously used to make poly(methacrylates)
- The resulting copolymers have many potential applications for waste management and biodegradability, addressing environmental concerns
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