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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
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Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
Published on: December 16, 2022
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Polymer Backbone Editing with Cyclopropenes via Olefin Metathesis
Jiyun Zhang1, Will R Gutekunst1
1School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Drive NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318, United States.
ACS Macro Letters
|January 2, 2026
Summary
Sterically hindered cyclopropenes (CPEs) enable polymer backbone editing via ring-opening cross metathesis. This process upgrades commodity polymers into functional copolymers, advancing sustainable polymer upcycling.
Area of Science:
- Polymer Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Chemistry
Background:
- Commodity polymers with all-carbon backbones present recycling challenges.
- Upcycling these polymers into higher-value materials is crucial for sustainability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for upgrading olefin-containing polymers.
- To demonstrate polymer backbone editing using cyclopropenes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized sterically hindered cyclopropenes (CPEs) in ring-opening cross metathesis reactions.
- Applied the method to various CPEs and alkene-containing polymers.
Main Results:
- Achieved high conversion rates of CPEs (>90%) and maintained reasonable molecular weights (>22 kDa).
- Successfully modified chemical and thermal properties of polymer materials.
- Demonstrated the versatility of the backbone editing process.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a novel approach for polymer upcycling.
- Provides new pathways for repurposing widely used olefinic polymers into functional copolymers.
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