# Novel Conversions of a Multifunctional, Bio-sourced Lactone Carboxylic Acid

## TL;DR

This paper explores new chemical conversions of a plant-based compound into useful biorenewable monomers for polymer production.

## Contribution

The study introduces novel methods to convert a lactone carboxylic acid into acrylate and methacrylate esters suitable for polymerization.

## Key findings

- A lactone carboxylic acid was converted into acrylate and methacrylate esters via ring-opening reactions.
- These esters are promising biorenewable monomers for RAFT polymerization.
- The reactions used Sc(OTf)3 and (meth)acrylic anhydride for direct acylative ring opening.

## Abstract

The plant-derived compounds furfuryl alcohol and itaconic anhydride are known to undergo a Diels-Alder reaction at room temperature and in bulk to efficiently give an alkene-containing lactone carboxylic acid. Reported here is the conversion of this substance to a variety of derivatives via hydrogenation, epoxidation, or halolactonization reactions. Most notable is the formation of a set of three related acrylate or methacrylate esters (see graphical abstract) produced by direct acylative ring opening of ether bonds using Sc(OTf)3 and (meth)acrylic anhydride. These esters are viewed as promising candidates for use as biorenewable monomers in reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization reactions.