Furan Polymers: State of the Art and Perspectives

Abstract

This contribution provides an outlook on the topic of furan polymers, dealing with both its main achievements and the salient recent contributions, together with a critical assessment of their most promising perspectives. Following a brief account of the relevant chemical properties of the furan heterocycle, the main monomers from furfural and hydroxymethylfurfural and their respective polymerization mechanisms are discussed. Chain-growth polymerizations concentrate on free-radical and cationic systems, whereas step-growth polymerizations describe the polycondensation of furfuryl alcohol, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes and polyureas, poly(Schiff base)s, epoxy resins, and the polycondensation of 5-methylfurfural. Finally, the use of the Diels-Alder reaction applied to furan polymer synthesis and modification is reviewed.

Recyclable Biomass-Derived Polyethylene-Like Materials as Functional Coatings for Commercial Fabrics: Toward Upcycling of Waste Textiles

“…For instance, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 2,5-dihydroxymethylfuran (DHMF), C6 compounds readily produced from 5-HMF, hold promising future in the polymer industry owing to their huge potential as bifunctional monomers. Moreover, furan-based polymers derived from FDCA and/or DHMF have attracted tremendous attention worldwide due to their widespread application in the foreseeable future . These materials show performance-advantaged properties such as gas barrier, , UV shielding, self-healability, and flame retardancy .…”

“…Moreover, furan-based polymers derived from FDCA and/or DHMF have attracted tremendous attention worldwide due to their widespread application in the foreseeable future. 11 These materials show performanceadvantaged properties such as gas barrier, 12,13 UV shielding, 14 self-healability, 15 and flame retardancy. 16 In particular, FDCA is listed as a potential candidate from biomass by the Department of Energy, U.S., in 2004.…”

Crystal Structures of Lignocellulosic Furfuryl Biobased Polydiacetylenes with Hydrogen-Bond Networks: Influencing the Direction of Solid-State Polymerization through Modification of the Spacer Length

“…Finally, this work on lignocellulosic furfuryl biobased PDA is a new example in the family of furan-containing polymers that have been reviewed in the literature recently. − Furfuryl groups can act as sites for post-polymerization modification, extending the range of applications for conjugated biobased polymers …”

(Chemo)biocatalytic Upgrading of Biobased Furanic Platforms to Chemicals, Fuels, and Materials: A Comprehensive Review

“…The manufacture of biobased polymers may be one of the most important applications of biobased furans . Loos and co-workers synthesized various furan-derived polymers including oligo/polyesters, ,,, polyamides, − and poly­(ester/amide)­s .…”

“…The manufacture of biobased polymers may be one of the most important applications of biobased furans. 276 Loos and coworkers synthesized various furan-derived polymers including oligo/polyesters, 267,268,277,278 polyamides, 279−281 and poly-(ester/amide)s. 282 In 2014, they reported the enzymatic polymerization of BHMF with various diacid ethyl esters in diphenyl ether at 80 °C using Novozym 435 via a pressurevaried three-stage method. 268 The enzymatic polymerization proceeded for 2 h under atmospheric pressure with a small nitrogen flow at the first stage; then the pressure was regulated to 350 mmHg for 4 h at the second stage; finally, the pressure was further reduced to 2 mmHg for 66 h. On the basis of in situ 1 H NMR analysis, BHMF and diacid ethyl esters were enzymatically oligomerized at the first and second stage, followed by further condensation of oligomers at the third stage under high vacuum.…”