(114b) Catalytic Strategies for the Production of Renewable Lactones for Chemically Recyclable Polyesters

Addressing plastic pollution requires innovative approaches in plastic synthesis and waste management. Our efforts focus on redesigning monomers to engineer novel chemically recyclable plastics, aiming for a sustainable, closed-loop lifecycle. More specifically, alpha-substituted lactones stand out for their potential to form polymers with comparable properties to traditional plastics yet offer straightforward degradability. This presentation will demonstrate various catalytic strategies to synthesize alpha-substituted lactones (and their corresponding polyesters) from biomass-derived feedstocks, employing techniques such as aldol condensation, lactonization, and Diels-Alder reactions. These polyesters exhibit exceptional mechanical properties, making them suitable for diverse industrial applications. Moreover, the presentation will highlight the chemical recyclability of these materials under mild conditions, emphasizing their role in mitigating plastic waste.