PISA-RAFT Emulsion Polymerization of Aromatic Biobased Monomers from 4-Vinyl Guaiacol

In recent years, the depletion of fossil fuels, fluctuating petrol prices, global environmental concerns, and stringent regulations have encouraged the development of new biobased monomers and polymers. To contribute to this shift, we have used 4-vinyl guaiacol (4VG), a lignin-derived phenolic compound obtained by decarboxylation of ferulic acid, to synthesize 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenyl acetate (Ac4VG) and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenyl butyrate (But4VG) as biobased monomers. Using the RAFT-PISA strategy and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether acrylate) (PMOEGA) as hydrophilic comonomer, the synthesis of PMOEGA - b -PAc4VG block copolymer was achieved. We demonstrated that by varying the DP Ac4VG between 10 and 100, latexes of different morphologies were formed as observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Other hydrophobic monomers, such as the fossil-based styrene and the biobased But4VG, were polymerized using a PMOEGA macro transfer agent by PISA-RAFT emulsion polymerization. It was found that the biobased monomers Ac4VG and But4VG produced nonspherical latex particle morphologies, whereas styrene produced spherical latexes. Thus, these biobased monomers present interesting properties that render them ideal for applications intended to minimize the environmental impact of the polymer industry.