Efficient One-Step Synthesis of Catechol Containing Polymers via Friedel–Crafts Alkylation and Their Use for Water Decontamination

We herein present an efficient one-step synthesis route toward catechol containing polymers from liquid polybutadiene via a simple post polymerization modification (PPM) approach applying acid catalyzed Friedel–Crafts alkylation (FCA). Accordingly, 100% modification of polybutadiene was achieved within 30 min in bulk at 120 °C. The final structure of the polymer was analyzed by 1H, 13C, 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared (IR), diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Material properties were investigated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Subsequent metal ion removal tests revealed excellent extraction efficiencies (86% ≤ Mn+removal < 100%) when using the catechol containing polymer as heavy metal sorbent and thus emphasize a potential application for water purification processes.