Degradable and Recyclable Polyesters from Multiple Chain Length Bio‐ and Waste‐Sourceable Monomers

Abstract

Monomers sourced from waste or biomass are often mixtures of different chain lengths; e.g. catalytic oxidation of polyethylene waste yields mixtures of dicarboxylic acids (DCAs). Yet, polyesters synthesized from such monomer mixtures have rarely been studied. We report polyesters based on multiple linear aliphatic DCAs, present in chain length distributions that vary in their centers and ranges. We demonstrate that these materials can adopt high‐density polyethylene‐like solid state structures, and are ductile (e.g. Et 610 MPa), allowing for injection molding, or film and fiber extrusion. Melting and crystallization points of the polyesters show no odd‐even effects as dipoles cannot favorably align in the crystal, similar to traditional odd carbon numbered, long‐chain DCA polyesters. Biodegradation studies of 13C‐labelled polyesters in soil reveal rapid mineralization, and depolymerization by methanolysis indicates suitability for closed‐loop recycling.