Biosourced and metal-free synthesis of conjugated polymers: bPPV, bCN-PPV and bPPTzTz†

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable materials has spurred interest in biosourced feedstocks and metal-free polymerization techniques for organic electronics. This study explores the synthesis of conjugated polymers using renewable succinic acid-derived monomers through environmentally benign polymerization methods. New pathways were developed to produce three biosourced polymers: poly(phenylene vinylene) (bPPV), poly(cyano-PPV) (bCN-PPV), and poly(thiazolo[5,4-d]thiazole) (bPPTzTz) using Gilch polymerization, Knoevenagel condensation, and Ketcham polymerization, respectively. Comprehensive characterization of these polymers, including molecular weight, optical, electrochemical, and thermal properties, demonstrates their potential for organic electronics. The polymers exhibit high renewable atom content, with polymer bPPV achieving 100% of its atoms coming from succinic acid. This work highlights the feasibility of integrating biosourced monomers and sustainable polymerization strategies, advancing the development of environmentally responsible materials for organic electronics.