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Official Journal of the Japan Wood Research Society

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Preparation of polyols from methyl-α-d-glucoside and cyclic esters for design and fabrication of biodegradable polyurethane foams

Abstract

A ring-opening polymerization of cyclic esters ε-caprolactone (CL) and/or l-lactide (LACD) was carried out in the presence of methyl-α-d-glucoside (m-Glc) as an activated substrate and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (SnEht2) as a catalyst. This led to successful synthesis of an armed polyester polyol with m-Glc as the core. These polyols were characterized through gel permeation chromatography, hydroxyl value assessment, differential scanning calorimetry, and viscosity measurements. It was clarified that the thermal properties and tractability of the synthesized polyols are closely related to the structural characteristics of the side chain polyesters, such as their length and chemical composition. Polyurethane foams were also prepared by mixing an appropriate amount of the polyols with diphenyl methane diisocyanate, a foaming agent (water), and other additives, and their mechanical properties were examined. Two polyurethane foams manufactured from polycaprolactone-polyols that were synthesized at a CL/m-Glc ratio of 2 or 5, were used in a biodegradation test in a closed system of activated sludge suspension. Evidence of their biodegradation is presented based on data showing oxygen consumption by the pulverized samples.

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Correspondence to Mariko Yoshioka.

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Yoshioka, M., Miyata, A., Yagi, T. et al. Preparation of polyols from methyl-α-d-glucoside and cyclic esters for design and fabrication of biodegradable polyurethane foams. J Wood Sci 50, 511–518 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-003-0601-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10086-003-0601-3

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