Evaluating Polymerization Methods and Deprotection Strategies for Making Water Soluble Poly(acrylic acid) with Hydrolyzable Breaking Points

DOI zum Zitieren der Version auf EPub Bayreuth: https://doi.org/10.15495/EPub_UBT_00008982
URN to cite this document: urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-8982-1

Title data

Däbritz, Sophia B. ; Neubauer, Kira ; Kropf, Christian ; Agarwal, Seema:
Evaluating Polymerization Methods and Deprotection Strategies for Making Water Soluble Poly(acrylic acid) with Hydrolyzable Breaking Points.
In: Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics. Vol. 226 (2025) Issue 11 . - 2500080.
ISSN 1521-3935
DOI der Verlagsversion: https://doi.org/10.1002/macp.202500080

	Format: PDF Name: Macro Chemistry Physics - 2025 - Däbritz - Evaluating Polymerization Methods and Deprotection Strategies for Making Water.pdf Version: Published Version Available under License Creative Commons BY 4.0: Attribution
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Abstract

Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) is a hydrophilic polymer widely utilized in various everyday applications, but it may persist in the environment due to its stable carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone. This work presents a detailed comparative study of introducing hydrolyzable ester breaking points into the PAA backbone using different radical copolymerization methods (bulk versus solvent and batch versus semi-batch) with varied feed ratios of tert-butyl acrylate (tBA) and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) followed by the investigation of the removal of t-Bu group for getting free acid functionality in copolymers under different conditions. A detailed comparison of polymerization approaches (bulk versus solution, batch versus semi-batch) revealed that solution polymerization at 100 °C with tert-butyl peroxide provided high ring-opening efficiency (71%) and uniform molecular weight distribution. The study optimized deprotection processes for tBA to acrylic acid, achieving complete hydrolysis under mild conditions using 5 equivalents of trifluoroacetic acid in dichloromethane. The resultant polymers displayed pH and temperature dependent solubility and significant degradation under alkaline conditions, with the formation of oligomers (400–700 Da for 35% MDO content) suitable for microbial assimilation. These findings highlight a scalable pathway for creating environmentally degradable PAA alternatives with tailored properties for functional applications.

Further data

Item Type:	Article in a journal
DDC Subjects:	500 Science > 540 Chemistry
Institutions of the University:	Faculties Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry Faculties > Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Earth Sciences > Department of Chemistry > Chair Macromolecular Chemistry II Profile Fields Profile Fields > Advanced Fields Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Polymer and Colloid Science Profile Fields > Advanced Fields > Advanced Materials Research Institutions > Affiliated Institutes > Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI) Research Institutions Research Institutions > Affiliated Institutes
Language:	English
Originates at UBT:	Yes
URN:	urn:nbn:de:bvb:703-epub-8982-1
Date Deposited:	16 Mar 2026 08:41
Last Modified:	16 Mar 2026 08:41
URI:	https://epub.uni-bayreuth.de/id/eprint/8982

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