Functionalization of Phenolic Aldehydes for the Preparation of Sustainable Polyesters and Polyurethanes

Biobased organic diols derived from the phenolic aldehyde by-products in the depolymerization of lignin (4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillin, and syringaldehyde) for the synthesis of polyesters and polyurethanes is described. Methods to prepare lignin-based diols involved a two-step synthetic route using either a hydroxy alkylation and aldehyde reduction or an aldehyde reduction and Williamson-Ether substitution. The preparation of five polyesters …