Direct Organocatalytic Polymerization from Cellulose Fibers

Summary: We have developed the first direct, organocatalytic, bulk ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε ‐caprolactone ( ε ‐CL) with solid cotton and paper cellulose as the initiators. The mild ROPs were performed without solvent, and are operationally simple, inexpensive and environmentally benign. Organic‐acid‐catalyzed heterogeneous derivatization of cellulose provides a novel route to valuable cellulose‐based biocompatible nanomaterials. The furnished polymerization products were characterized by FTIR, 1 H and 13 C NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry and electron microscopy. Organic acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization from cellulose fiber. image Organic acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization from cellulose fiber.