Direct polymerization of levulinic acid via Ugi multicomponent reaction

Abstract

A robust, direct and efficient approach has been developed for the utilization of levulinic acid (LevA) as a building block in the synthesis of polyamides. In this approach, there is no need for converting LevA to a cyclic monomer as the carboxylic acid and ketone groups are sufficient for incorporation into a polyamide. Optimization of reaction temperature, solvent, reactants as well as heating source have been performed for the Ugi multicomponent reaction. The obtained polyamides were characterized carefully using GPC, NMR, MALDI-ToF MS, DSC and TGA.