Cyclohexene Carbonate ROMP for Recyclable PVA Copolymer Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge lies in efficiently controlling ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclohexene derivatives, which have low ring strain energy, making them difficult to recycle through ring-closing metathesis (RCMD).

Innovation Solution

By incorporating trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups, the ring strain energy of cyclohexene monomers is increased, allowing for controlled ROMP and subsequent deprotection to form polyvinyl alcohol copolymers with a well-defined 1,2-diol structure. These polymers can be chemically recycled through RCMD or degraded to produce industrially useful compounds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cyclohexene derivatives with low ring strain energy are used as monomers, then the polymers can be chemically recycled through ring-closing metathesis, but the ring-opening metathesis polymerization cannot be efficiently controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical recyclabilityVSAvoidpolymerization control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups into cyclohexene derivatives to modulate the ring strain energy to an optimal range (6-10 kcal/mol). This parameter adjustment enables both efficient ROMP polymerization control and subsequent chemical recyclability through RCMD, resolving the contradiction between polymerization efficiency and recyclability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite monomer structures by fusing cyclic carbonate groups onto the cyclohexene ring system. This composite structure combines the low ring strain energy of cyclohexene (for recyclability) with the ring strain enhancement from carbonate groups (for polymerization control), achieving both objectives simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups are introduced to increase ring strain energy, then ROMP can be efficiently controlled, but the structural complexity of monomers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolymerization control efficiencyVSAvoidmonomer structural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local functionalization by introducing carbonate groups at specific positions on the cyclohexene ring (positions 3,4 or 4,5). This localized modification achieves the desired ring strain energy enhancement without requiring complete structural redesign of the entire monomer molecule, thus limiting the increase in overall complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If cyclohexene derivatives are used as monomers, then the polymers exhibit high hydrolytic stability and oxygen protective properties, but the ROMP polymerization is difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrolytic stabilityVSAvoidpolymerization control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent precisely tunes the ring strain energy parameter of cyclohexene derivatives by introducing trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups, achieving an optimal range (6-10 kcal/mol) that enables controlled ROMP while preserving the inherent hydrolytic stability and oxygen barrier properties of the cyclohexene-based polymer structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The approach enables the production of polyvinyl alcohol copolymers with high hydrolytic stability, excellent oxygen protective properties, and processability, while also facilitating closed-loop recycling and the generation of valuable chemical feedstocks.

Implementation Method 1

the ring strain energy of cyclohexene monomers is increased using trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups to perform ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing strain energy:

Implementation Method 2

ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of cyclohexene derivatives

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing-opening metathesis polymerization:

Implementation Method 3

subsequent deprotection to form polyvinyl alcohol copolymers with a well-defined 1,2-diol structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical deprotection: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 4

These polymers can be chemically recycled through RCMD

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRing-closing metathesis:

Data Source

PatentEP4509537A1Method for producing chemically recyclable poly(vinyl alcohol) copolymer through ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclohexene derivatives
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • EP4509537A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4509537A1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4509537A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for producing a chemically recyclable polyvinyl alcohol copolymer through ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclohexene derivatives, wherein the ring strain energy of cyclohexene monomers is increased using trans-fused cyclic carbonate groups to perform ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) while efficiently controlling same to produce a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer with a well-defined structure of 1,2-diol per six carbon atoms and exhibiting high hydrolytic stability, excellent oxygen protective properties, and processability. In addition, the polyvinyl alcohol copolymer can be chemically recycled into 1,2-diol containing cyclohexene through the ring-closing metathesis of the polyvinyl alcohol polymer, and useful compounds, including industrially useful α,ω-dialdehyde compounds, can be produced by chemically cleaving 1,2-diol groups.