Production and Polymerization of Biobased Acrylates and Analogs

To prepare biobased polymers, particular attention must be paid to the obtention of the monomers from which they are derived. (Meth)acrylates and their analogs constitute such a class of monomers that have been extensively studied due to the wide range of polymers accessible from them. This review therefore aims to highlight the progresses made in the production and polymerization of (meth)acrylates and their analogs. Acrylic acid production from biomass is close to commercialization, as three different high‐potential intermediates are identified: glycerol, lactic acid, and 3‐hydroxypropionic acid. Biobased methacrylic acid is less common, but several promising options are available, such as the decarboxylation of itaconic acid or the dehydration of 2‐hydroxyisobutyric acid. Itaconic acid is also a vinylic monomer of great interest, and polymers derived from it have already found commercial applications. Methylene butyrolactones are promising monomers, obtained from bioresources via three different intermediates: levulinic, succinic, or itaconic acid. Although expensive, methylene butyrolactones have a strong potential for the production of high‐performance polymers. Finally, β‐substituted acrylic monomers, such as cinnamic, fumaric, muconic, or crotonic acid, are also examined, as they provide an original access to biobased materials from various renewable raw materials, such as protein waste, lignin, or wastewater. Acrylates and analogs are widely used monomers that can now be derived from renewable resources. This review aims at identifying which biobased routes are the most mature ones in the perspective of potential commercialization. Challenges in the polymerization of those potentially green monomers are also highlighted and their wide applicability is demonstrated.