Efficient synthesis of hydroxyl functioned polyesters from natural polyols and sebacic acid

Amphiphilic hydroxyl functioned polyester (HFP) can be used as compatibilizers for blends of starch and resins. We developed a synthetic method for effective preparation of HFPs. Water was removed by high flow rate N2 rather than high vacuum during polycondensation of sebacic acid with xylitol, sorbitol, or mannitol in the presence of dehydrative condensation catalyst and the product is with [η] of 27.2 mL/g, Mn of 1903, Mw of 167,693, Tg of −30.5 °C, Tm of 44.0 °C. Weight loss is 1.73% under 200 °C. The integral distributions of molecular weight are 43.6 wt% and 63.8 wt% over 10,000 and 3000, respectively. The results indicated that higher molecular weight HFP was economically synthesized.