Aromatic Polyester Composition for Stable High-Functionality Polymerization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aromatic polyester resins face challenges in achieving high concentrations of operative functional groups without causing gelation or isomerization during polymerization, and require excessive monomers and radical inhibitors, leading to low industrial utility and impurities.

Innovation Solution

An aromatic polyester is synthesized with a polycarboxylic acid component comprising 50 mol % or more operative functional groups and an aromatic polyhydric alcohol component comprising 50 mol % or more, using low-temperature melt polycondensation at 80 to 150°C without organic solvents or radical inhibitors, and incorporating triflate catalysts like scandium triflate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the concentration of operative functional groups in aromatic polyester is increased to improve reactivity, then the reactivity with curing agents is improved, but gelation and isomerization occur during polymerization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactivity with curing agentVSAvoidpolymerization stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperature (200-240°C) to low temperature (80-150°C) polycondensation. This parameter change allows the polymerization to proceed at milder conditions that prevent gelation and isomerization while still achieving high molecular weight polyester with preserved operative functional groups for subsequent curing reactions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rare-earth triflate catalyst as an intermediary substance that enables the polycondensation reaction to proceed at low temperature. This catalyst acts as a mediator that facilitates esterification without requiring high thermal energy, thereby preventing side reactions like gelation and isomerization that would occur at conventional temperatures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If direct polycondensation of aromatic dicarboxylic acid and diol is performed at high temperature to achieve polymerization, then the polymerization proceeds, but a large amount of energy is consumed and sublimable crystals are difficult to handle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent fundamentally changes the temperature parameter from high temperature (200-240°C) to low temperature (80-150°C) range. This parameter change dramatically reduces energy consumption while maintaining polymerization efficiency through the use of rare-earth triflate catalyst that enables reaction at milder conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Rare-earth triflate catalyst serves as an intermediary that mediates the polycondensation reaction between aromatic dicarboxylic acid and diol at low temperature. This catalyst intermediary allows the reaction to proceed efficiently without requiring high thermal energy input, solving both the energy consumption and handling difficulties of sublimable crystals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If radical inhibitor is added to suppress isomerization or gelation during polymerization, then isomerization and gelation are suppressed, but impurities are introduced and industrial utility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization stabilityVSAvoidimpurities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of operative functional groups (which cause gelation and isomerization at high temperature) into a benefit by conducting polymerization at low temperature. The same functional groups that would be harmful at high temperature become advantageous at low temperature, providing reactivity for subsequent curing while maintaining polymerization stability without requiring radical inhibitors that would introduce impurities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The resulting aromatic polyester offers reactive sites for thiol-ene reactions and living radical polymerization, enabling chemical modifications and improved industrial utility with enhanced heat and chemical resistance, while avoiding gelation and isomerization.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating triflate catalysts like scandium triflate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250346709A1Aromatic polyester and method for producing same

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 TOYOBO CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides an aromatic polyester having several operative functional groups and a method for producing same. An aromatic polyester comprising a polycarboxylic acid component and a polyhydric alcohol component as a copolymerization component, wherein the aromatic polyester comprises a polycarboxylic acid component having an operative functional group by 50 mol % or more when a total amount of the polycarboxylic acid component is taken as 100 mol %, and the aromatic polyester comprises an aromatic polyhydric alcohol component by 50 mol % or more when a total amount of the polyhydric alcohol component is taken as 100 mol %.