High molecular weight poly(cycloacetals) towards processable polymer materials

•New, high molar mass poly(cycloacetals) were synthesized starting from di-trimethylolpropane and available dialdehydes.•The poly(cycloacetals) display high thermal stability, ductile behavior and transparancy.•The resulting polymers are hydrolytically stable as demonstrated by degradation tests in acid conditions.

Processable poly(cycloacetals) with high molar masses (Mn) up to 38 kDa were synthesized in a systematic manner. Di-trimethylolpropane (Di-TMP) was used as tetravalent alcohol and was combined with a series of available dialdehydes, after a model reactivity study. These polymers have a high thermal stability with degradation temperatures (Td) up to 370 °C while the glass transition temperatures (Tg) ranged from room temperature to 115 °C. Trends in Tg modulation were confirmed by a theoretical simulation. Moreover, the poly(cycloacetals) showed favourable mechanical and optical properties.

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