Novel stereoisomeric lignin-derived polycarbonates: towards the creation of bisphenol polycarbonate mimics

Polym Chem. 2023 Jan 17;14(8):907-912. doi: 10.1039/d2py01523d. eCollection 2023 Feb 21.

Abstract

In this work, we have described a family of bio-based polycarbonates (PC-MBC) based on the unique lignin-derived aliphatic diol 4,4'-methylenebiscyclohexanol (MBC) that was sustainably sourced from lignin oxidation mixture. The detailed structure analysis of these polycarbonates has been confirmed by a series of 2D NMR (HSQC and COSY) characterizations. Depending on the stereoisomerism of MBC, the PC-MBC displayed a wide achievable T g range of 117-174 °C and high T d5% of >310 °C by variation of the ratio of the stereoisomers of MBC, offering great substitution perspectives towards a bisphenol-containing polycarbonates. Nonetheless, the most here presented PC-MBC polycarbonates were film-forming and transparent.