The bark of Pinus radiata offers an underutilized source of high-value renewable chemicals such as extractable polyphenols and lipophilic compounds (waxes and suberin). Here, the depolymerization and extraction of suberin from P. radiata bark and its repolymerization to form novel polyesters are reported. Three different strategies were evaluated for repolymerization of the suberin monomers, with starting materials and products characterized using chemical and thermal analysis techniques. The inclusion of comonomer (1,12-dodecanediol) to provide stoichiometric balance improved the conversion, product yield, solubility and increased molecular weight. Enzymatic polymerization conditions gave the highest yield, while the highest molecular weight was achieved using titanium butoxide, demonstrating that polymerization conditions could be varied to target desired product properties. Products were hydrophobic, as shown by contact angles, ϴ ≥ 90° after 30 s. This work highlights opportunities for utilizing suberin to add value to a P. radiata bark biorefinery concept. Potential future applications include its use as a starting material for novel bio-based polymers that can serve as water-repellent surfaces and coatings, replacing established products derived from fossil resources.

中文翻译：

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解聚辐射松树皮木栓质合成疏水性生物聚酯

的树皮辐射松提供未充分利用的高价值可再生化学品来源，例如可提取多酚和亲脂性化合物（蜡和木栓质）。在这里，木栓质的解聚和提取辐射松据报道，树皮及其再聚合形成新型聚酯。评估了木栓质单体再聚合的三种不同策略，并使用化学和热分析技术表征了起始材料和产物。包含共聚单体（1,12-十二烷二醇）以提供化学计量平衡，提高了转化率、产物产率、溶解度并增加了分子量。酶聚合条件产生了最高的产率，而使用丁醇钛获得了最高的分子量，这表明可以改变聚合条件以达到所需的产品性能。产品是疏水性的，如接触角所示，ϴ30 秒后≥ 90°。这项工作强调了利用木栓质为植物增加价值的机会辐射松树皮生物精炼概念。未来的潜在应用包括用作新型生物基聚合物的起始材料，这些聚合物可用作防水表面和涂层，取代源自化石资源的现有产品。