Join us for another Chemistry Seminar Series presentation.

Topic: Lignin Valorization for Biobased Materials

Presenter: Melissa Sanchez, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Date: Friday, November 3, 2023

Time: Noon to 12:50 p.m.

Location: Ag Mechanics, Room 102

Abstract:

In an effort to shift plastic production towards a more sustainable process, the synthesis of bio-based epoxy polymers has significantly increased over the years.

This work presents a green method of synthesizing bio-based epoxy thermosets from high S poplar lignin. This work provides synthesis routes to highly bio-based epoxy thermosets, which pave the way towards preparing simple and green strategies for utilizing biomass monomers as a feedstock for thermosets and polymers.

Conventional synthesis of propylpyrogallol (DMPPO) monomer starts with nonrenewable feedstocks and uses harsh reagents such as HBr and organic solvents. In a greener route, lignin extracted 4-propyl-2,6- dimethoxyphenol (DMPP) was o-demethylated by a Nb2O5 catalyst to yield DMPPO, which was subsequently glycidylated to epoxy monomer.

In the synthesis of DMPPO, water was the green solvent used, and the Nb2O5 catalyst was recycled twice without any significant deactivation.

Discussed will be the two synthetic routes to DMPPO epoxy thermosets and the physical characterizations from the conventional method and our greener method.