Synthesis, Characterization and Modeling of Environmentally Benign Thymine Polymers

D. M. MARTINO; F. GARCÍA; D. A. ESTENOZ; J.C. WARNER

Los Cocos

Simposio; ARCHIPOL, III Argentine-Chilean Polymer Symposium, VII Argentine Polymer Symposium, VII Chilean Symposium of Polymer Chemistry and Physical-Chemistry; 2005

ARCHIPOL

The synthesis of “bioinspired” polymers based on styrene containing thymine is studied. These polymers are similar to polystyrene (PS) except that thymine and charged functional groups are chemically bonded to the structure of the PS. These environmentally benign, water-soluble and non-toxic polymers undergo a 2p + 2p photodimerization reaction of the pendant thymine units when exposed to UV radiation (~254 nm). The polymers create crosslinked networks in regions of UV exposure, rendering the polymer insoluble in those areas. These new environmentally benign materials have numerous applications (adhesives and lubricants, controlled drug release, antibacterial coatings, hair styling, photoresist, microelectronic, solar cells, chromatography). The highlights are: (i) handled using water as solvent, (ii) curing process is based on the crosslinking of non toxic polymers; (iii) the cured material is biodegradable by enzymatic processes. The molecular structure (molecular weight distribution and chemical composition) and the physical properties (solubility and photoreactivity) of the thymine-containing polymers are determined by the synthesis and curing conditions.