Polycarbonates, 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols

Keywords a,co-Alkanediamines, l,4 3,6-Dianhydrohexitols, Aldaric acids, Aldo-nolactones, Aminoalditols, o-Glucitol, Diaminoalditols, D-Mannitol, D-Xyhtol application, Erythritols, Isoidide, Isomannide, Isosorbide, L-Arabinitol, Lipase-catalysis, Polyamides, Polycarbonates, Polyesteramides, Polyesters, Polyethers, Polyureas, Polyurethanes, Super-acid, Tartaric acids... 

In addition, isosorbide and other l,4 3,6-dianhydrohexitols (isomannide derived from D-mannose, isoidide derived from L-fructose) are also attractive to serve as monomers for polymer production due to their rigidity, chirality, and non-toxicity (Fig. 6). Such features may introduce special properties into the polymers formed, such as enhanced Jg and/or special optical properties. Their innocuous nature also opens the possibility of applications in packaging or medical devices. As a bifunctional monomer, isosorbide can be polymerized with other bifunctional monomers via condensation polymerization. A recent review described various isosorbide-based polymers synthesized, including polyesters, polyamides, poly(ester amide)s, poly(ester imide)s, polycarbonates, polyurethanes, and so on [308], and the present... 

Yokoe M., Aoi M., Okada M., Biodegradable polymers based on renewable resources. IX. Synthesis and biodegradation behavior of polycarbonates based on l,4 3,6-dianhydrohexitols and tartaric acid derivatives with pendant functional groups, /. Polym. Set Part A Polym. Chem., 43, 2005, 3909-3919. 

The double dehydration of sorbitol yields D-isosorbide (l,4 3,6-dianhydrohexitol), a white, biodegradable, nontoxic solid. It is used in medicine to treat glaucoma. Other medications are derived from isosorbide, including isosorbide dinitrate and isosorbide mononitrate used to treat angina pectoris. The high thermal stability makes isosorbide interesting as a monomeric building block for thermoplastic polymers such as polyester and polycarbonates. The electrophilic alkylation of isosorbide with dimethyl sulfate yields dimethyl isosorbide, a colorless liquid which is used as a plasticizer for vinyl polymers and as a solvent in pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations. 

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