Enzyme- and Metal-Catalyzed Synthesis of a New Biobased Polyester

Abstract

Linear aliphatic polyesters were prepared from Pripol 1012, a diacidic C18 fatty acid dimer, and 1,3-propanediol employing a lipase or a titanium tetrabutanoate. Metal-based catalysis (route M) was carried out with a precondensation at 180 °C and 600 mbar followed by a final condensation at 220 °C and 0.3–0.6 mbar. Enzyme catalysis was carried out with an immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B after either a precondensation step at 180 °C and 600 mbar (route E1) or 80 °C and 100 mbar (route E2) and a final condensation at 80 °C and 0.3–0.6 mbar. Polyesters were obtained along routes M, E1, and E2 with weight-average molecular weights, Mw, at final conversion of 84.6, 26.7, and 15.6 kg mol–1, respectively. The final molecular weight via route E2 was most probably constrained by depletion of 1,3-propanediol during precondensation. Rheological measurements of the polyesters in melt revealed a Newtonian-like behavior at 80 °C. The dynamic viscosities fulfill the Cox–Merz rule. The power law for the viscosity...