POLY(DIHYDROFERULIC ACID) A BIORENEWABLE POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE MIMIC DERIVED FROM LIGNIN AND ACETIC ACID AND COPOLYMERS THEREOF

摘要

An embodiment of the invention is directed to a biorenewable thermoplastic, poly(dihydroferulic acid) (PHFA), which is an effective polyethylene terephthalate (PET) mimic. In another embodiment of the invention, a biorenewable thermoplastic copolymer, poly(dihydroferulic acid-co-ferulic acid) is an effective polystyrene mimic. The PHFA and the copolymer can be prepared by the homocondensation of acetyldihydroferulic acid or the copolymerization of acetyldihydroferulic acid with acetylferulic acid, which are monomers that can be synthesized from starling materials isolated from lignin, rice bran, or other biorenewable sources.