Monomers from Renewable Resources: C-H Functionalization of Saturated Fatty Acids

Saturated fatty acids were used to prepare renewable monomers and polymers. For instance, the alpha-acidity of these fatty acid esters was used to synthesize malonate derivatives, which were successfully polymerized to polyesters and polyamides. This approach was also possible for unsaturated fatty acids. Moreover, aryl-bridged diesters were prepared by alpha-arylation reactions. Finally, sophorose lipids were used as starting materials for the preparation of polyester 32:32.