Aromatic Polymethacrylates from Lignin-Based Feedstock: Synthesis, Thermal Properties, Life-Cycle Assessment and Toxicity.

There is currently a great need for rigid, high-performance and processable bio-based polymers and plastics as alternatives to the fossil-based materials used today. Here, we report on the straightforward synthesis and polymerization of lignin-derived methacrylate monomers based on the methyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, and syringic acid, respectively. The corresponding homopolymethacrylates exhibit high glass transition temperatures (Ts) at 106, 128, and 197 °C, respectively.