Thermoplastic polymers from renewable ressources via entirely chemical routes

Thermoplastic polymers are currently prepared almost exclusively from fossil feedstocks. In view of their limited range, alternative renewable resources are desirable in the long term.
Polyesters are one of the most important classes of organic polymers, and indeed the more recently developed and commercialized biomass-based polymers are thermoplastic polyesters [1]. Their preparation employs a fermentation step, with carbohydrates, most often glucose, as a feedstock. By comparison to routes employing a fermentation step, chemical synthetic routes in which the original molecular structure of the plant biomass employed is substantially retained are attractive as they can be efficient in terms of feedstock utilization and reaction space-time-yields, and provide novel properties. Plant oils are in principle attractive substrates for the preparation of aliphatic polyesters, as the substrate provides relatively long -(CH2)n- hydrocarbon segments. Their conversion to linear polyesters employing carbonylation [2] and other catalytic routes is discussed.
Cellulose is an abundant ressource. It possesses excellent mechanical properties. A more widespread application as a material is restricted by its difficult processability. Studies on the direct catalytic conversion of cellulose to a thermoplastic material employing low-cost basic chemicals are presented.

[1] S. Mecking: Nature or Petrochemistry? – Biologically Degradable Materials.
Angew. Chem Int. Ed. 2004, 43, 1078 - 1085. Angew. Chem. 2004, 116, 1096 - 1104.
[2] D. Quinzler, S. Mecking: Renewable-Resource Based Poly(dodecyloate) by Carbonylation Polymerization. Chem. Commun. 2009, 5400 - 5402.