ROMP-based biorenewable polymers of norbornene modified with triglycerides or esters from natural buriti oil

Two novel monomers, norbornenyl buriti olein (NBO) and norbornenyl buriti ester (NB-FAME), were synthesized by reactions of 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid with triglycerides and with methyl esters from buriti oil, respectively. No polymers were produced via ROMP of NBO or NB-FAME using Grubbs second-generation catalyst at 30 °C for 1 h. However, copolymers of NBO or NB-FAME in the presence of norbornene (NBE) were obtained raising the initial compositions of the buriti oil-derived monomers from 20 to 80%, under the same conditions. The polymers were insoluble in water and typical organic solvents. In chloroform at 30 °C for 48 h, the polymers from synthesis with 80 wt% of buriti oil-derived monomers resulted in a mass gain of 1709% for polymer from NBO and 929 wt% for polymer from NB-FAME. SEM micrographs showed smooth morphologies and non-porous surfaces, which differ from the porous polyNBE. TGA analyses indicated thermal stability up to 200 °C. The poly(NBO-co-NBE) and poly(NB-FAME-co-NBE) have been proved to be the final products.