SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FARNESENE-BASED POLYMERS

A bio-based route to the production of trans-beta-farnesene has recently been commercialized. Trans-beta-farnesene is capable of being polymerized by both anionic and cationic pathways, creating low molecular weight polymers with structure-property relationships unique within the diene class of monomers. Trans-beta-famesene is produced through fermentation of sugar feedstocks. The pathway offers an alternative to petroleum-based feedstocks derived as by-products of naphtha or ethane cracking. Anionic polymerization of the monomer produces a highly branched bottlebrush structure, with rheological properties that are markedly different than those of linear diene polymers. Specifically, a lack of entanglements is observed even at relatively high molar masses. For hydroxyl-terminated oligomers, T-g as a function of molar mass follows a trend opposite non-functional materials. The synthesis and characterization of mans-beta-farnesene based polymers will be presented, including anionically prepared low molecular weight diols and monols.