Pyrrolidone and Caprolactam Functionalized Natural and Synthetic Polymers

Abstract

This chapter provides a sampling of diverse synthetic approaches to pyrrolidone‐ and caprolactam‐functionalized natural and synthetic polymers. Enhancing the property profiles of major industrial polymers is a common motivation for such research endeavors. A significant portion of synthetic polymers are obtained by conventional free radical polymerization of vinyl monomers. Free radical polymerization termination can occur by combination or disproportionation reactions. The class of N‐vinylpyrrolidone polymers is utilized in a wide range of industrial applications. The class of polyvinylcaprolactam polymers are temperature‐responsive materials that have proven useful in many application areas. Polysaccharides are high molecular weight polymeric carbohydrate molecules that consist of long chains of monosaccharide units. Natural biopolymers are available from renewable marine and agricultural resources. Cellulose, chitin, starch, glycogen, and galactomannans are a few examples of common natural polysaccharides. Traditional derivatization of polysaccharides of high industrial relevance, such as cellulose, involves etherification and esterification processes.