A tandem Diels–Alder addition and lactonisation between bio-derivable itaconic anhydride and furfuryl alcohol can be used to prepare novel monomers for ROMP.

This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activities and cytotoxicity of both crude extracts of Scenedesmus obliquus and their fractions. In vitro cytotoxicity assay against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), colon cancer (HCT116) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell line was monitored. The highest inhibition was observed using diethyl ether crude extract (DEE) recording between 12.5 and 19.5 mm inhibition zone against all tested bacteria and between 8.7 and 18.3 mm against tested fungi. The highest anticancer effect of DEE was observed at IC 50 against HCT116 and HepG2 cell lines using just 24.6 and 42.8 μg ml −1 , respectively. While, high concentration, 93.8 μg ml −1 , was required to exhibit its effect against MCF7. Column chromatography technique was used to separate DEE crude extract to its main components using 7 different mobile phases. Fractions F1 and F7 were the highest fractions that had antimicrobial activity against tested bacteria and fungi. High IC 50 > 80 μg ml −1 were required to exhibit anticancer activity at IC 50 against the tested cancer cell lines. The main compounds responsible for the bioactivity were identified using GC-MS, nonadecane and butylated hydroxytoluene in F1 and 9-octadecadienoic acid and quercetin 7,3′,4′-trimethoxy in F7 were identified. The current study highlights the potential use of S . Obliquus extract and their fractions as a source of antimicrobial and anticancer compounds.

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Crosslinked core/shell PBA/PMMA‐PGMA particles are prepared by emulsion polymerization and dispersed into a UV‐curable cycloaliphatic epoxy resin in the range of 5–15 wt%. The presence of the particles does not significantly affect the UV curing process: a slight decrease of final epoxy group conversion is attributed to an increase in the viscosity when CS‐GMA is added to the photocurable formulation and to an enhanced vitrification effect. The presence of the particles does not modify the Tg of the cured materials, while an enhancement of impact resistance is observed that does not depend on the particle content. FESEM micrographs for epoxy reinforced with core/shell particles indicate a plastic void growth of the epoxy polymer and shear yielding toughening mechanism.magnified image

---------The synthesis of a range of alkyl esters (methyl, n-butyl and n-decyl) prepared via Steglich esterification of the thermodynamically-controlled exo,exo Diels-Alder (DA) adduct of furfuryl alcohol and maleic anhydride is reported. Subsequent ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of these bio-derivable tricyclic oxanorbornene analogues delivered polymers with targeted molar mass and low molar mass dispersity. The polymerizations are rapid with complete monomer conversion achieved within 15 minutes. Significantly, the presence of the cyclic lactone at the bridgehead of these monomers leads to polymers with high regio-(>85% head-to-tail) and stereoregularity (>75% trans). The resultant polymers display both high thermal stability and high glass transition temperatures. This new class of oxanorbornene monomer, accessed from bio-derivable furfuryl alcohol and maleic anhydride, may be further tailored to incorporate a range of functional moieties. Furthermore, the exceptional properties of the derived polymers indicate potential in range of applications.

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Commercially available alumina powder (α‐Al2O3 nanoparticles with 150 nm diameter) is added up to 4 vol% into cycloaliphatic epoxy resins and cured using UV light. Chemical and physical investigations of these UV‐cured, reinforced epoxy resin are carried out. The FTIR analysis indicates decreasing effect of these nanoparticles on the curing rate. The FESEM study for the fracture surface of reinforced epoxy resins revealed increase in the surface roughness that might be a sign of toughness enhancement. Also, an improvement in the scratch resistance was noticed for samples containing alumina filler.

Herein, a bioderived antioxidant oxanorbornene lactam monomer bearing a vanillyl moiety has been successfully synthesized. The monomer was synthesized via reductive amination of two biobased molecules, vanillin and furfurylamine, followed by tandem Diels−Alder and lactamization reactions with maleic anhydride. For comparison, an inactive monomer was prepared using benzaldehyde instead of vanillin. Rapid controlled polymerization of the tricyclic strained monomers has been conducted using ring opening metathesis polymerization. The resultant polymers were fully characterized, and their antioxidant potentials had been assessed. The monomer with the vanillyl moiety and its corresponding polymer showed exceptional antioxidant activities compared to the reference analogue with a benzyl pendant group. Indeed, the developed antioxidant polymer shows promising potential in the sustainable polymer industry for a smaller ecological footprint.