Utilization of bio‐sourced myrcene for efficient preparation of highly cis‐1,4 regular elastomer via a neodymium catalyzed copolymerization strategy

Abstract

The depletion of fossil based chemicals and the associated pollution have presented huge challenges to sustainability. In this study, we report on bio‐available myrcene participating in copolymerization with isoprene and butadiene by using neodymium catalysts without disruption of the pristine polymer's properties. Efficient incorporation of myrcene into the copolymer was achieved with slightly retarded reactivity compared to the reactivities of butadiene and isoprene. Copolymerization of myrcene with hydroxyl myrcene still remained compatible with the catalyst systems when the cocatalyst was fed in excess, resulting in a novel type of full myrcene based functional elastomer. The high cis‐1,4 selectivity of the system maintained the same level as the homopolymerization. Significant affinity to polar substances was deduced from the remarkably reduced water contact angle, a strong indication of good compatibility with reinforcing fillers. All copolymers displayed over 93.2% cis‐1,4 regularity and high molecular weight with narrow Đ. Good resistance to low temperature was also achieved as indicated by the low glass transition temperature for all copolymers. This study verified that myrcene can be used as a sustainable monomer substituent for general diene based elastomer preparation. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

Sustainable Myrcene-Based Elastomers via a Convenient Anionic Polymerization

“…Reasonably this trend could be explained by the effect of the greater quantity in the samples of M and I which introduce small side chains in the structure of the copolymers and by their microstructure (mainly 3,4 addition), factors that increase hydrophobicity. The possibility of modulating the surface structure and properties of the copolymers by adjusting the microstructure of the segments has been already observed in previous studies [ 69 , 70 ].…”

Introducing random bio-terpene segments to high cis-polybutadiene: making elastomeric materials more sustainable

“…The shi of the T g towards higher temperatures can be attributed to the lateral or alkyl group of both myrcene and farnesene, which tend to decrease the mobility of the copolymer chain. 32 On the other hand, a quasi-linear relationship of the T g as a function of the terpene-weight fraction was observed (see Fig. 4).…”

Dienes Polymerization: Where We Are and What Lies Ahead

“…The most recent catalytic systems, based on organometallic complexes with ligands of various kinds, have however proved able to polymerize even these more cluttered monomers that had not been possible to polymerize with the previous catalytic systems, while exhibiting at the same time appreciable levels of activity and selectivity. Polymers with different structures (i.e., cis -1,4; trans -1,4; 3,4 (1,2)) (Figure ), of potential interest for applications in the industrial field, mainly in the elastomeric sector, were obtained using different catalysts based on transition metals and lanthanides. ,− …”