Reversible acetalization of cellulose: A platform for bio-based materials with adjustable properties and biodegradation

Bio-based and biodegradable polymers are essential for a sustainable society. Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on earth; however, derivatization necessary its processing, which slows down biodegradability dramatically, e.g. used cigarette filters made from cellulose acetate barely biodegradable. We developed first reversible modification of cellulose, allows processing guarantees full biodegradation even at high degrees substitution as linkers, acetals, can be cleaved during degradation process releasing native that biodegrades in second step. Acetalization versatile platform approach to bio-based fully degradable cellulose-derivatives, characterized by solubility common organic solvents (alcohols, aromatic chlorinated solvents), adjustable glass transition temperatures (-48 °C < Tg 80 °C), young's modulus (1.9 MPa E 58 MPa) contact angle (86°< θ 124°). In contrast previously known modifications, acetals remain acetal bond undergoes an acidic cleavage under desired conditions, instance compost, followed enzymatic remaining backbone. With climate change plastic pollution, these new provide alternatives fossil-based non-degradable polyolefin plastics, leading more future our planet.