Smart monomers for sustainable packaging

IUPAC Name: 7-thia-1-oxacycloheptan-2-one

Synonyms: TCL, ε-thionocaprolactone, Oxepane-2-thione, 2-oxepanethione, 7-thia-1-oxacycloheptan-2-one

CAS number: 72037-38-8

Molecular Formula: C₆H₈OS
Molecular Weight: 130.21 g/mol

Technical description: yellow liquid
Melting point: < -20°C
Boiling point: > 150°C decomposes
Solubility: well-soluble in most organic solvents, miscible with water

TLT1 is a thionolactone-based specialty monomer that reacts readily in radical polymerization with less activated vinyl monomers (monomers forming unstabilized propagating radicals).
Extensive testing has confirmed TLT1’s compatibility with a broad range of vinyl monomers, including:
Ethylene, Vinyl acetate, Vinyl propionate, Vinyl butyrate, Vinyl versatate, Vinyl laurate, Vinyl stearate, Vinyl pivalate, Vinyl neodecanoate, and others.
TLT1 copolymerizes efficiently under typical polymerization conditions, including:
• Bulk polymerization
• Solution polymerization
• Emulsion systems
• Batch, semi-batch, and continuous flow reactors
Proper process conditions enable TLT1 to integrate seamlessly into the vinyl polymer backbone. Incorporation of TLT1 introduces cleavable degradable links into the polymer chain, enabling on-demand controlled degradation when exposed to a specific chemical stimulus.