Evaluating the commercial application potential of polyesters with 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols (isosorbide, isomannide and isoidide) by reviewing the synthetic challenges in step growth polymerization

Plastic materials play a pivotal role in modern society. Finding sustainable alternatives to established fossil-based polymers is an important part of the effort to reduce the environmental impact of the materials sector. 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols (isosorbide, isomannide and isoidide) are a group of biobased diol monomers that are promising for the synthesis of sustainable polyesters. Their rigid molecular structure imparts favorable material properties to polymers. Isosorbide is especially interesting due to its current commercial availability and synthesis from glucose. This potential is reflected in the large number of publications on polyesters with isosorbide in the past decade. Despite this, high molecular weight polyesters with high molar percentages of 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols remain elusive due to the low reactivity of 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols in (trans)esterification reactions. This review compares the efforts on the synthesis of polyesters with 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols from both the academic and patent literature and puts them into perspective regarding industrial viability. Interesting synthesis strategies and possible future developments are highlighted together with material properties.