Xylose Acetals - a New Class of Sustainable Solvents and Their Application in Enzymatic Polycondensation.

The use of organic solvents in academic research and industry applications is facing increasing regulatory pressure due to environmental and health concerns. Consequently, there is a growing demand for sustainable solvents, particularly in the enzymatic synthesis and processing of polyesters. Biocatalysts offer a sustainable method for producing these materials; however, achieving high molecular weights often necessitates use of solvents.

Controlled Polymer Synthesis Toward Green Chemistry: Deep Insights into Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization in Biobased Substitutes for Polar Aprotic Solvents.

Cyrene (dihydrolevoglucosenone) and its derivative Cygnet 0.0, recognized as eco-friendly alternatives to polar aprotic solvents, were utilized in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of a wide range of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic (meth)acrylates. The detailed kinetics study and electrochemical experiments of the catalytic complex in these solvents reveal the opportunities and limitations of their use in controlled radical polymerization.

Controlled Enzymatic Synthesis of Polyesters Based on a Cellulose-Derived Triol Monomer: A Design of Experiment Approach.

Regioselective enzymatic polycondensation of the bio-based cellulose derived polyol, Triol-citro, and dimethyl adipate using Candida antarctica Lipase B (CaLB) was investigated. A Design of Experiment approach with MODDE® Pro 13 was used to determine important factors in the branching behavior of this polymer, and reactant ratio, temperature, reaction time and enzyme wt % were the studied factors. Multifunctional polyesters with pendant hydroxy groups were synthesized and fully characterized using 2D NMR techniques to determine degree of branching.