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Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Techniques for the Evolution of Robust Pentose-fermenting Yeast for Bioconversion of Lignocellulose to Ethanol
Published on: October 24, 2016
Polymers from Cellulosic Waste: Direct Polymerization of Levoglucosenone using DBU as a Catalyst
Brett Pollard1, Michael G Gardiner1, Martin G Banwell1,2
1Research School of Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Studies, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
Abstract:
The bio-based platform molecule levoglucosenone (LGO) is now produced at multi-ton scale by the pyrolysis of cellulosic waste. As such it has become an industrially viable, non-petroleum-derived chemical feedstock. Herein we report the direct (one-step) and operationally simple polymerization of LGO that provides a highly sustainable method for polymer synthesis. Specifically, the ability of LGO to act as an electrophile has been harnessed so as to deliver high molecular weight polymers (Mn=236,000 g/mol, Đ=2.4) possessing excellent thermal stabilities (TD5 %=249 °C). Furthermore, there is a significant capacity for the effective chemical manipulation of these polymers as exemplified by treatment of them under Baeyer-Villiger conditions and so creating a simple and green route to hydrophilic materials. These one- and two-step transformations provide the most direct route to new, LGO-derived polymer scaffolds yet reported. E-factors of ca. 0.012 and atom economies of up to 99 % have been realized.
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