POS9-1469
Dihydroxy-functionalized aliphatic polycarbonates: Geometry of hydroxy groups dictates their hydrolysis behavior
Topic
S9. Polymer Technology for Sustainability
When and Where
Sep 30, 2026
08:30 - 09:30
Room 301 (Grand Ballroom)
Session Chairs
Heesuk KIM
Jinhye BAE
Presenter(s)
Lee Hyungju (Department of Biobased Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Kyoto Institute of Technology)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Circular polymer systems have attracted significant attention, particularly regarding the development of sustainable recycling technologies and alternative functional materials. Aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates are promising high-performance, eco-friendly materials because they are potentially biodegradable and highly adaptable for versatile chemical functionalization.
Water-soluble polymers are widely used in consumer and industrial products, including detergents, cosmetics, thickeners, and pharmaceuticals. However, most current applications rely on non-biodegradable acrylate-type polymers, which can pose environmental threats to aquatic ecosystems. Developing biodegradable, water-soluble polymers is thus essential to address these concerns and to find an alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in biomaterials. Nevertheless, balancing material durability during use with efficient post-use degradation remains challenging because their underlying degradation mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) analogs serve as a suitable platform for incorporating diverse functional side groups to tune hydrolytic properties via hydration. We have demonstrated that PTMC analogs with ether side chains exhibit enhanced hydration, thereby improving biocompatibility and promoting hydrolytic degradation. Additionally, recent results suggest that an amide linker connecting the polymer backbone and side chains facilitates main-chain hydrolysis.
Herein, we systematically investigate the hydrolysis and hydration behavior of two water-soluble PTMC analogs bearing amide-linked dihydroxy side groups with distinct spatial geometries. These dihydroxy-functionalized analogs underwent hydrolysis much faster and exhibited higher hydration than their ether-functionalized counterparts. Importantly, the geometry of the dihydroxy groups dictates the hydrolytic rate of the main chain; one configuration grants higher hydrophilicity and nucleophilicity than the other. These findings provide critical molecular design guidelines to tune the rate and timing of polymer degradation, balancing material durability and environmental applicability.
Water-soluble polymers are widely used in consumer and industrial products, including detergents, cosmetics, thickeners, and pharmaceuticals. However, most current applications rely on non-biodegradable acrylate-type polymers, which can pose environmental threats to aquatic ecosystems. Developing biodegradable, water-soluble polymers is thus essential to address these concerns and to find an alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in biomaterials. Nevertheless, balancing material durability during use with efficient post-use degradation remains challenging because their underlying degradation mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
Poly(trimethylene carbonate) (PTMC) analogs serve as a suitable platform for incorporating diverse functional side groups to tune hydrolytic properties via hydration. We have demonstrated that PTMC analogs with ether side chains exhibit enhanced hydration, thereby improving biocompatibility and promoting hydrolytic degradation. Additionally, recent results suggest that an amide linker connecting the polymer backbone and side chains facilitates main-chain hydrolysis.
Herein, we systematically investigate the hydrolysis and hydration behavior of two water-soluble PTMC analogs bearing amide-linked dihydroxy side groups with distinct spatial geometries. These dihydroxy-functionalized analogs underwent hydrolysis much faster and exhibited higher hydration than their ether-functionalized counterparts. Importantly, the geometry of the dihydroxy groups dictates the hydrolytic rate of the main chain; one configuration grants higher hydrophilicity and nucleophilicity than the other. These findings provide critical molecular design guidelines to tune the rate and timing of polymer degradation, balancing material durability and environmental applicability.
