Process For Preparing A High Molecular Weight Heteroaromatic Polyester Or Copolyester

Abstract

A process for preparing a high molecular weight heteraromatic polyester or copolyester is disclosed. A process for preparing a high molecular weight heteroaromatic polyester or copolyester includes the steps of: (a) processing comonomers by mixing together to form a homogeneous solution (1) at least one heteroaromatic dicarboxylic acid having 2-12 carbon atoms or a diester or an acid anhydride derived therefrom, or a mixture thereof; (2) at least one alcohol having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and at least two hydroxyl functionalities; and (3) optionally aromatic or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or diesters or acid anhydrides derived therefrom; (b) converting the paste / solution obtained in step a) into an esterification product containing at least one diester or at least one oligoester formed from the at least one heteroaromatic dicarboxylic acid and the at least one alcohol; and (c) polycondensing / copolycondensing the reaction product obtained from step b) under reduced pressure.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority to, U.S. application Ser. No. 14 / 460,939, filed Aug. 15, 2014, which is a continuation of International Application Number PCT / EP2013 / 053065, filed Feb. 15, 2013, which claims priority to German Patent Application 102012003417.2, filed Feb. 17, 2012, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]Different polymers for various applications have been known for many decades in the prior art. Polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides, polyacrylates, or polycarbonates may be mentioned here by way of example. The selection of these different polymeric materials depends in general on the intended purpose and the desired mechanical properties, for example impact strength or heat resistance.[0003]However, these polymeric materials are problematic in that the reactants used to prepare such polymers (for example terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, used as aromatic bu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The process yields polyesters with enhanced mechanical and physical properties, ensuring high molecular weight and consistency, making them suitable for industrial-scale production and biodegradability, particularly for applications like polyethylene furanate.

Problems solved by technology

However, these polymeric materials are problematic in that the reactants used to prepare such polymers (for example terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid, used as aromatic building blocks for polyesters) come from synthetic sources.

The biodegradability of the resulting polyesters is also insufficient.

However, the attainable molecular weight and physical properties (for example, impact strength) of these prior art heteroaromatic polyesters, still fail to meet the expected standards of other prior art polyesters (for example, those formed from terephthalic acid and diols).

Moreover, this process is only carried out in individual batches (“batchwise”) which generally result in varied product quality from batch to batch, resulting in an inhomogeneous mixed product obtained therefrom.