Green Copolymerization of Limonene with β-Pinene Catalyzed by an Eco-Catalyst Maghnite-H+

In this paper, we report a simple method for preparation of poly(limonene- co -β–pinene) using green and low cost catalyst. Copolymers were synthesized by cationic copolymerization by using H + exchanged Maghnite as a catalyst (Montmorillonite type clay). Several parameters affecting the copolymerization were investigated such as the reaction kinetics, effect of temperature, catalyst mass and effect of monomer feed ratio. The copolymerization in solution leads to the yield 40.5% at −5°C for a reaction time of 6 h. The structure of the obtained copolymer is confirmed by IR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. Finally, a new method for the preparation of poly(limonene- co -β-pinene) in short reaction time was developed, in order to respect the principles of a green chemistry.