Synthetic Polyester from Algae Oil

Abstract

Current efforts to technically use microalgae focus on the generation of fuels with a molecular structure identical to crude oil based products. Here we suggest a different approach for the utilization of algae by translating the unique molecular structures of algae oil fatty acids into higher value chemical intermediates and materials. A crude extract from a microalga, the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum, was obtained as a multicomponent mixture containing amongst others unsaturated fatty acid (16:1, 18:1, and 20:5) phosphocholine triglycerides. Exposure of this crude algae oil to CO and methanol with the known catalyst precursor [{1,2-(tBu2 PCH2)2C6H4}Pd(OTf)](OTf) resulted in isomerization/methoxycarbonylation of the unsaturated fatty acids into a mixture of linear 1,17- and 1,19-diesters in high purity (>99 %). Polycondensation with a mixture of the corresponding diols yielded a novel mixed polyester-17/19.17/19 with an advantageously high melting and crystallization temperature.

Diamines for Polymer Materials via Direct Amination of Lipid‐ and Lignocellulose‐based Alcohols with NH3

“…[62,63] Experimental Section Ah igh excess of ammonia is key to prevent the formation of cyclic and secondary amines.…”

Rapid induction of GFP expression by the nitrate reductase promoter in the diatomPhaeodactylum tricornutum

“…Besides their ecological and biogeochemical importance, diatoms also gained large interest with respect to potential biotechnological or biopharmaceutical exploitation (Hamilton et al, 2015; Hempel et al, 2011a; Hempel et al, 2011b; Hempel & Maier, 2012; Roesle et al, 2014; Vanier et al, 2015). Diatoms are interesting biotechnological targets because of their easy and cheap culturing requirements, asexual reproduction and fast growth, resulting in efficient biomass production (Bozarth, Maier & Zauner, 2009; Kilian & Kroth, 2006; Kroth, 2007a).…”

Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomers with Aliphatic Hard Segments Based on Plant‐Oil‐Derived Long‐Chain Diisocyanates

“…In the first step isomering alkoxycarbonylation of methyl oleate ( 1a ) and ethyl erucate ( 1b ) yielded dimethyl nonadecanedioate ( 2a ) and dimethyl tricosandioate ( 2b ), respectively, which were then reduced to obtain nonadecanediol ( 3a ) and tricosanediol ( 3b ) . In order to obtain the desired diisocyanates, the long‐chain diols were converted into the corresponding dibromides ( 4a, 4b ) via an Appel II reaction . A subsequent nucleophilic substitution reaction with potassium cyanate based on a procedure reported by Schaeffer yielded nonadecane diisocyanate ( 5a ) and tricosane diisocyanate ( 5b ) in yields up to 40% (Figure ).…”

“…After extraction with pentane (3 × 200 mL) the combined pentane phases were washed once with 200 mL of water and the solvent then removed. Column chromatography with methylene chloride and subsequent crystallization from ethanol/ethylacetat (4:1) yielded 14.5 g of a white solid (34.0 mmol, 88%) …”