Tunable polylactide plasticizer design: Rigid stereoisomers

Two isomeric molecules, 1,2-cyclohexanediol and isohexide (isosorbide isomannide) demonstrated potential as rigid building blocks in PLA plasticizer design with tunable material performances. Six candidates were synthesized via Fischer esterification bulk of the cores green platform chemicals levulinic acid valeric acid. The structures confirmed by 1H NMR ESI-MS. Based on calculated Hansen solubility parameters, all expected to be miscible PLA, which was experimentally proven a significant decrease glass transition temperature (Tg) an increase strain at break. For instance, plasticized 20 wt% cyclohexanediol levulinate (cis- trans- mixture) portrayed lowest Tg 25 °C highest break 265%, equals 44 times initial neat PLA. Isohexide-based plasticizers larger cores, isosorbide isomannide enabled superior thermal stability, higher Young’s modulus stress blends compared cyclohexanediol-based plasticizers, while retaining high Stronger influence stereoisomerism plasticization also observed isohexide-based plasticizers. Here we present new pathway tailor performance utilizing blocks.