Eugenol-DOPO: A Bio-Based Phosphorous-Containing Monomer for Thiol-ene Photocurable Thermosets

The adverse health and environmental effects of petroleum-based materials have become a driving force for the fabrication of bio-based monomers. In this study, we synthesized a novel bio-based reactive phosphorus-containing; eugenol-DOPO, which was prepared in one step by the reaction of 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO) and eugenol via Atherton–Todd reaction. Moreover, a diallyl compound was also prepared by using eugenol and piperazine. All monomers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies. Thiol-ene photocured polysulfide thermoset networks were prepared by using these newly synthesized bio-based monomers. Thermal and thermomechanical properties of the thermosets were measured. Photo-crosslinked networks displayed over 88% gel content values. The thermal stability of the networks as well as the resulting char yields were improved as the percentage of eugenol-DOPO was increased in the formulations. The presence of N and P played a synergistic effect and the limiting oxygen index (LOI) values for the thermoset materials were enhanced. We believe eugenol-DOPO is not only a good alternative monomer for the preparation of thermally stable photocurable thermosets, but it is also a suitable bio-based additive for other polymers as well. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.].