Citronella-based polyesters by organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization and their recyclable crosslinked films

Independence of food supply chain is a grand challenge encountered by the development of bio-based polymers. Here, we demonstrate the synthesis of amorphous aliphatic polyesters via organocatalyzed ring-opening polymerization of 9-membered lactone monomer, a novel downstream product of non-edible citronella oil. In particular, chemical transformation of trisubstituted alkene moiety owned by this renewable biomass was achieved by cross-metathesis of this bulky group with methyl acrylate . Three-armed star polymers were converted to free-standing films by UV-induced crosslinking. In particular, these crosslinked thin films could be efficiently recycled as ω -hydroxy ester upon methanolysis. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis and application of terpene- and terpenoid-based polymers.