Unsaturated Polyester Resins and Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites from Plant Biomass

We are the first to report the synthesis of maleic acid in quantitative yield by oxidation of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of sodium bicarbonate in an aqueous medium under ambient conditions without the using of toxic catalysts and solvents. 5-hydroxymethyl furfural and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid have been prepared from hexose plant biomass. Based on maleic anhydride and 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid, unsaturated polyesters were synthesized for the first time from renewable raw materials only. A fiber-reinforced polymer composite based on these polyester resins have been prepared. Strength properties of carbon and glass fiber-reinforced polymer composites are 1.5 times superior to the strength of similar phthalic acid based composites.