Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G63/66—Polyesters containing oxygen in the form of ether groups
  • C08G63/668—Polyesters containing oxygen in the form of ether groups derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
  • C08G63/672—Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G63/66—Polyesters containing oxygen in the form of ether groups
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B1/00—Layered products having a non-planar shape
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G63/02—Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
  • C08G63/12—Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
  • C08G63/16—Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G63/68—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen
  • C08G63/688—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen containing sulfur
  • C08G63/6884—Polyesters containing atoms other than carbon, hydrogen and oxygen containing sulfur derived from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
  • C08G63/6886—Dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G63/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G63/78—Preparation processes
  • C08G63/82—Preparation processes characterised by the catalyst used
  • C08G63/85—Germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum, or compounds thereof
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L27/00—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L27/02—Compositions of homopolymers or copolymers of compounds having one or more unsaturated aliphatic radicals, each having only one carbon-to-carbon double bond, and at least one being terminated by a halogen; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers not modified by chemical after-treatment
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L3/00—Compositions of starch, amylose or amylopectin or of their derivatives or degradation products
  • C08L3/02—Starch; Degradation products thereof, e.g. dextrin
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L67/00—Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L67/02—Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08L—COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS
  • C08L67/00—Compositions of polyesters obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
  • C08L67/02—Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds
  • C08L67/025—Polyesters derived from dicarboxylic acids and dihydroxy compounds containing polyether sequences
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
  • Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/13—Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]
  • Y10T428/1352—Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
  • Y10T428/1397—Single layer [continuous layer]

Definitions

• the polymerization processes described herein provide methods for dehydrating diols such that dimers of the diols are formed and incorporated into polyesters during polycondensation. Control over this phenomenon provides unique polymer compositions with a range of thermo-mechanical properties, crystallinity, bio-content and biodegradability. Generation of a wide range of properties allows development of polymers that can be used for a wide range of applications.
• An opposing force is cost.
• the cost of planting and harvesting a natural crop, extracting the essential oils, converting these oils into monomers, and carrying out interspersed purification steps is higher than relying on the massive infrastructure established around the petroleum industry to produce a given monomer.
• Even when the natural source for a given monomer is preferred over the petroleum source there are often alternate monomers from the petroleum source that can provide the desired properties at a lower cost or higher stability.
• a hurdle is presented when one looks for alternate monomers from a biological source that can provide the desired properties at lower cost or higher stability.
• An example of a monomer that illustrates these points is sebacic acid.
• An advantage is offered by the ability to adjust raw materials feed rates and still produce copolymers with consistent thermal properties. Control over the dimerization of the constituent glycols provides a means to achieve this. If costs of one monomer increase significantly, the rate of dimerization can be adjusted appropriately to reduce the use of that monomer. If customers desire a range of other physical properties from a set of copolymers with the same thermal properties, then they can be produced from the same monomers by simultaneously adjusting monomer feeds and glycol dimerization rate.
• Aliphatic-aromatic polyetheresters described in the art generally include polyesters derived from a mixture of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, which also incorporate poly(alkylene ether) glycols.
• known aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters incorporate high levels of the poly(alkylene ether) glycol component.
• Warzelhan, et al. disclose aliphatic-aromatic polyetherester compositions in U.S. Pat. Nos.
• Hayes in U.S. Pat. No. 7,144,632 discloses aliphatic-aromatic polyetherester compositions that include 0.1 to about 3 mole percent of a poly(alkylene ether) glycol component with enhanced thermal properties.
• the poly(alkylene ether)glycol is added as a separate monomer in each of the cases above.
• the poly(alkylene ether)glycol is composed primarily of greater than 2 linked monomer units and of a range of molecular weights.
• the present invention provides polymerization processes described herein provide methods for dehydrating diols such that dimers of the diols are formed and incorporated into polyesters during polycondensation. Control over this phenomenon provides unique polymer compositions with a range of thermo-mechanical properties, crystallinity, bio-content and biodegradability.
• the present invention relates to an aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester comprising an acid component and a glycol component; wherein the acid component comprises: a. about 90 to 10 mole percent of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent total acid component; and b. about 10 to 90 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent of total acid component; and wherein the glycol component consists essentially of: a. about 99.8 to 0.2 mole percent of a single glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component; and b. about 0.2 to 99.8 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester obtainable by reacting an acid component mixture comprising: a. about 90 to 10 mole percent of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or ester-forming derivative thereof based on 100 mole percent total acid component, and b. about 10 to 90 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or ester-forming derivative thereof based on 100 mole percent of total acid component, and a glycol component consisting essentially of: c. 100 mole percent of a single glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the invention further relates to a process to make aliphatic- aromatic copolyetheresters, comprising: a. combining one or more dicarboxylic acid monomers or diester derivatives thereof with a diol in the presence of an ester interchange catalyst to form a first reaction mixture of an ester interchange reaction; b. heating the first reaction mixture with mixing to a temperature between about 200 degrees C and about 260 degrees C, whereby volatile products of the ester interchange reaction are distilled off, to form a second reaction mixture; and c. polycondensing the second reaction mixture with stirring at a temperature between about 240 degrees C and 260 degrees C under vacuum to form an aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester.
• the invention further relates to blends of aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters with other materials, including natural substances. It also relates to shaped articles comprising aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters.
• the copolyetheresters may be amorphous or semicrystalline.
• the term "semicrystalline" is intended to indicate that some fraction of the polymer chains of the aromatic-aliphatic copolyesters reside in a crystalline phase with the remaining fraction of the polymer chains residing in a non-ordered glassy amorphous phase.
• the crystalline phase is characterized by a melting temperature, Tm, and the amorphous phase by a glass transition temperature, Tg, which can be measured using Differential Scanning Calohmetry (DSC).
• Tm melting temperature
• Tg glass transition temperature
• DSC Differential Scanning Calohmetry
• esters, anhydrides, or ester-forming derivatives of the acids may be used.
• methods to produce, and to control the degree of production of these dimer glycols during the polymerization process are described. By these methods, a dimer glycol need not necessarily be charged to the reaction vessel but can instead be formed in situ from a charged glycol monomer. This provides both a simplification and a cost savings to the process.
• the feed rates would be the same as those for the traditional approach.
• the 1 ,3-propanediol feed rate is increased slightly while the sebacic acid feed rate is decreased slightly.
• the 1 ,3-propanediol feed rate is increased significantly while the sebacic acid feed rate is decreased significantly.
• the copolymer has the desired target thermal properties.
• the content of one monomer, sebacic acid, from a biological source is balanced against another, 1 ,3-propanediol, that is also from a biological source.
• the polymerization processes described herein provide methods for dehydrating diols such that dimers of the diols are formed and incorporated into polyesters during polycondensation. Control over this phenomenon provides unique polymer compositions with a range of thermo-mechanical properties, crystallinity, bio-content and biodegradability. Generation of a wide range of properties allows development of polymers that can be used for a wide range of applications. Control over dimerization and the resulting impact on polymer composition and properties are illustrated by the examples below.
• aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters which comprise an acid component and a glycol component.
• the acid component will comprise between about 90 and 10 mole percent of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent total acid component, and between about 10 and 90 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent of total acid component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of about 99.8 to 0.2 mole percent of a single glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component, and about 0.2 to 99.8 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the acid component will comprise greater than about 20 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent of total acid component. In some embodiments, the acid component will comprise greater than about 40 mole percent of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component based on 100 mole percent total acid component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of less than 99.8 mole percent of a single glycol component and greater than 0.2 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of less than 99 mole percent of a single glycol component and greater than 1 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of less than 98 mole percent of a single glycol component and greater than 2 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of less than 95 mole percent of a single glycol component and greater than 5 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component. In still other embodiments, the glycol component consists essentially of less than 90 mole percent of a single glycol component and greater than 10 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of greater than 12.8 mole percent of a single glycol component and less than 87.2 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• the glycol component consists essentially of greater than 40 mole percent of a single glycol component and less than 60 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component. More typically, the glycol component consists essentially of greater than 60 mole percent of a single glycol component and less than 40 mole percent of a dialkylene glycol component based on 100 mole percent total glycol component.
• Aromatic dicarboxylic acid components useful in the aliphatic- aromatic copolyetheresters include unsubstituted and substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acids, bis(glycolates) of aromatic dicarboxylic acids, and lower alkyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids having from 8 carbons to 20 carbons.
• desirable dicarboxylic acid components include those derived from terephthalates, isophthalates, naphthalates and bibenzoates.
• aromatic dicarboxylic acid component examples include terephthalic acid, dimethyl terephthalate, bis(2- hydroxyethyl)terephthalate, bis(3-hydroxypropyl) terephthalate, bis(4- hydroxybutyl)terephthalate, isophthalic acid, dimethyl isophthalate, bis(2- hydroxyethyl)isophthalate, bis(3-hydroxypropyl)isophthalate, bis(4- hydroxybutyl)isophthalate, 2,6-napthalene dicarboxylic acid, dimethyl 2,6- naphthalate, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl 2,7-naphthalate, 3,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid, dimethyl 3,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylate, 4,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylic acid, dimethyl 4,4'-diphenyl ether dicarboxylate, 3,4'-dipheny
• the aromatic dicarboxylic acid component is derived from terephthalic acid, dimethyl terephthalate, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate, bis(3- hydroxypropyl)terephthalate, bis(4-hydroxybutyl)terephthalate, isophthalic acid, dimethyl isophthalate, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isophthalate, bis(3- hydroxypropyl)isophthalate, bis(4-hydroxybutyl)isophthalate, 2,6- naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl 2,6-naphthalate, and mixtures derived therefrom.
• essentially any aromatic dicarboxylic acid known can be used.
• Aliphatic dicarboxylic acid components useful in the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include unsubstituted, substituted, linear, and branched, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, bisglycolates of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids, and lower alkyl esters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 36 carbon atoms.
• desirable aliphatic dicarboxylic acid components include, oxalic acid, dimethyl oxalate, malonic acid, dimethyl malonate, succinic acid, dimethyl succinate, methylsuccinic acid, glutahc acid, dimethyl glutarate, bis(2- hydroxyethyl)glutarate, bis(3-hydroxypropyl)glutarate, bis(4- hydroxybutyl)glutarate, 2-methylglutaric acid, 3-methylglutahc acid, adipic acid, dimethyl adipate, bis(2-hydroxyethyl)adipate, bis(3- hydroxypropyl)adipate, bis(4-hydroxybutyl)adipate, 3-methyladipic acid, 2,2,5,5-tetramethylhexanedioic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, dimethyl azelate, sebacic acid, dimethyl sebacate, 1 ,11 - undecanedicarboxy
• the linear aliphatic dicarboxylic acid component is derived from a renewable biological source, in particular succinic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and brassylic acid.
• a renewable biological source in particular succinic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, and brassylic acid.
• essentially any aliphatic dicarboxylic acid known can be used.
• the single glycols that typically find use in the embodiments disclosed herein include alkanediols with 2 to 10 carbon atoms and cycloalkanediols with 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples include 1 ,2- ethanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, and trans-1 ,4- cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM).
• CHDM trans-1 ,4- cyclohexanedimethanol
• glycol known can be used including those containing aromatic or heterogeneous structures.
• 1 ,3-propanediol is more often used, and because it can be bio-derived (renewably sourced) is advantageous for the reasons disclosed herein.
• the 1 ,3-propanediol used in the embodiments disclosed herein is preferably obtained biochemically from a renewable source ("biologically- derived" 1 ,3-propanediol).
• a particularly preferred source of 1 ,3-propanediol is via a fermentation process using a renewable biological source.
• a renewable biological source biochemical routes to 1 ,3-propanediol (PDO) have been described that utilize feedstocks produced from biological and renewable resources such as corn feed stock.
• PDO biochemical routes to 1 ,3-propanediol
• bacterial strains able to convert glycerol into 1 ,3-propanediol are found in the species Klebsiella, Citrobacter, Clostridium, and Lactobacillus. The technique is disclosed in several publications, including US5633362, US5686276 and US5821092.
• US5821092 discloses, inter alia, a process for the biological production of 1 ,3-propanediol from glycerol using recombinant organisms.
• the process incorporates E. coli bacteria, transformed with a heterologous pdu diol dehydratase gene, having specificity for 1 ,2-propanediol.
• the transformed E. coli is grown in the presence of glycerol as a carbon source and 1 ,3- propanediol is isolated from the growth media. Since both bacteria and yeasts can convert glucose (e.g., corn sugar) or other carbohydrates to glycerol, the processes disclosed in these publications provide a rapid, inexpensive and environmentally responsible source of 1 ,3-propanediol monomer.
• the biologically-derived 1 ,3-propanediol such as produced by the processes described and referenced above, contains carbon from the atmospheric carbon dioxide incorporated by plants, which compose the feedstock for the production of the 1 ,3-propanediol.
• the biologically-derived 1 ,3-propanediol preferred for use in the context of the present invention contains only renewable carbon, and not fossil fuel- based or petroleum-based carbon.
• compositions of the present invention can be characterized as more natural and having less environmental impact than similar compositions comprising petroleum based diols.
• the biologically-derived 1 ,3-propanediol, and polytrimethylene terephthalate based thereon may be distinguished from similar compounds produced from a petrochemical source or from fossil fuel carbon by dual carbon-isotopic finger printing.
• This method usefully distinguishes chemically-identical materials, and apportions carbon material by source (and possibly year) of growth of the biospheric (plant) component.
• the isotopes, 14 C and 13 C bring complementary information to this problem.
• the radiocarbon dating isotope ( 14 C) with its nuclear half life of 5730 years, clearly allows one to apportion specimen carbon between fossil (“dead") and biospheric ("alive”) feedstocks (Currie, L. A. "Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Particles,” Characterization of Environmental Particles, J. Buffle and H. P. van Leeuwen, Eds., 1 of Vol. I of the IUPAC Environmental Analytical Chemistry Series (Lewis
• the fundamental definition relates to 0.95 times the 14 C/ 12 C isotope ratio HOxI (referenced to AD 1950). This is roughly equivalent to decay-corrected pre-lndustrial Revolution wood.
• f M 1.1.
• the stable carbon isotope ratio ( 13 C/ 12 C) provides a complementary route to source discrimination and apportionment.
• the 13 C/ 12 C ratio in a given biosourced material is a consequence of the 13 C/ 12 C ratio in atmospheric carbon dioxide at the time the carbon dioxide is fixed and also reflects the precise metabolic pathway. Regional variations also occur. Petroleum, C 3 plants (the broadleaf), C 4 plants (the grasses), and marine carbonates all show significant differences in 13 C/ 12 C and the corresponding ⁇ 13 C values. Furthermore, lipid matter Of C 3 and C 4 plants analyze differently than materials derived from the carbohydrate components of the same plants as a consequence of the metabolic pathway.
• 13 C shows large variations due to isotopic fractionation effects, the most significant of which for the instant invention is the photosynthetic mechanism.
• the major cause of differences in the carbon isotope ratio in plants is closely associated with differences in the pathway of photosynthetic carbon metabolism in the plants, particularly the reaction occurring during the primary carboxylation, i.e., the initial fixation of atmospheric CO2.
• Two large classes of vegetation are those that incorporate the "C 3 " (or Calvin-Benson) photosynthetic cycle and those that incorporate the "C 4 " (or Hatch-Slack) photosynthetic cycle.
• C 3 plants, such as hardwoods and conifers, are dominant in the temperate climate zones.
• the primary CO2 fixation or carboxylation reaction involves the enzyme ribulose-1 ,5- diphosphate carboxylase and the first stable product is a 3-carbon compound.
• C 4 plants include such plants as tropical grasses, corn and sugar cane.
• an additional carboxylation reaction involving another enzyme, phosphenol-pyruvate carboxylase is the primary carboxylation reaction.
• the first stable carbon compound is a 4-carbon acid, which is subsequently decarboxylated. The CO2 thus released is refixed by the C 3 cycle.
• Notations for the per mil deviations from PDB is 5 13 C. Measurements are made on CO 2 by high precision stable ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) on molecular ions of masses 44, 45 and 46.
• IRMS high precision stable ratio mass spectrometry
• Biologically-derived 1 ,3-propanediol, and compositions comprising biologically-derived 1 ,3-propanediol may be completely distinguished from their petrochemical derived counterparts on the basis of 14 C (fivi) and dual carbon-isotopic fingerprinting, indicating new compositions of matter.
• the ability to distinguish these products is beneficial in tracking these materials in commerce. For example, products comprising both "new” and “old” carbon isotope profiles may be distinguished from products made only of "old” materials.
• the instant materials may be followed in commerce on the basis of their unique profile and for the purposes of defining competition, for determining shelf life, and especially for assessing environmental impact.
• the 1 ,3-propanediol used as a reactant or as a component of the reactant in making the polymers disclosed herein will have a purity of greater than about 99%, and more preferably greater than about 99.9%, by weight as determined by gas chromatographic analysis.
• Particularly preferred are the purified 1 ,3-propanediols as disclosed in US7038092, US7098368, US7084311 and US20050069997A1.
• the purified 1 ,3-propanediol preferably has the following characteristics:
• a concentration of total organic impurities (organic compounds other than 1 ,3-propanediol) of less than about 400 ppm, more preferably less than about 300 ppm, and still more preferably less than about 150 ppm, as measured by gas chromatography.
• aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters can be generated without addition of a dialkylene glycol as a reactant to the polymerization vessel.
• Thermal properties of the polyesters made in the present embodiments can be attained via control over glycol ether formation as demonstrated by a shift in the melting temperature with a shift in dialkylene glycol content for copolyetheresters with similar dicarboxylic acid content.
• the added flexibility imparted by dimerization of the glycol can also be expected to alter other physical properties of the polymers.
• This control can be attained by monomer selection, catalyst selection, catalyst amount, choice of sulfonate group, addition of basic compounds, and other process conditions.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters disclosed herein can optionally comprise a sulfonate component.
• the sulfonate component consists of sulfonate compounds including dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt, toluenesulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof. These compounds can include compounds that incorporate into the backbone of the polymer chain and those that do not. As a class, these compounds generally consist of those with strong acid moieties. Such compounds promote the dimerization of glycols during the reaction and thus act as dimerization catalysts.
• these compounds are used in amounts of between about 0 and 5 mole percent based on the total moles of diacid component and glycol component incorporated into the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester formed.
• the sulfonate component is used in an amount between 0.1 and 1 mole percent. In some embodiments, the sulfonate component is used in an amount greater than 1 mole percent.
• aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include tetramethylammonium hydroxide, a basic compound, which is added to limit the formation of glycol ether. Generally, as a class, these compounds consist of those with basic moieties. Such compounds limit the dimehzation of glycols during the reaction. Generally these compounds are added at 1 to 1000 ppm level based on the total weight of the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetherester.
• Catalysts are generally used in the processes disclosed herein.
• a number of ester interchange catalysts can be used, including but not limited to titanium alkoxides, including titanium (IV) isoproproxide.
• the amounts of catalysts added can favor or disfavor the production of glycol ethers. More specifically, by adjusting the level of the ester interchange catalyst described here relative to the dimerization catalyst described above, one can control the relative rates of the two reactions and thus the ultimate degree of dimerization that occurs.
• a number of other process parameters can be used to control the degree of dimerization achieved during reaction. For example, reacting dimethyl esters of carboxylic acids rather than dicarboxylic acids with the diol monomer reduces glycol formation.
• the mole percent of glycol dimer incorporated into the final polymer is increased when larger excesses of the diol monomer are charged to the reaction vessel.
• Processes to make the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters are also disclosed herein. Such processes can be operated in either a batch, semi-batch, or in a continuous mode using suitable reactor configurations.
• the reactor used to prepare the polymers disclosed in the embodiments herein is equipped with a means for heating the reaction to 260 0 C or higher, a fractionation column for distilling off volatile liquids, an efficient stirrer capable of stirring a high viscosity melt, a means for blanketing the reactor contents with nitrogen, and a vacuum system capable of achieving a vacuum of less than 1 Torr.
• This process was generally carried out in two steps.
• dicarboxylic acid monomers or their diester derivatives were reacted with a diol in the presence of an ester interchange catalyst, which caused exchange of the diol for the alcohol group of the ester and/or the hydroxyl group of the acid.
• ester interchange catalyst which caused exchange of the diol for the alcohol group of the ester and/or the hydroxyl group of the acid.
• the exact amount of monomers charged to the reactor was readily determined by a skilled practitioner depending on the amount of polymer desired and its composition.
• ester interchange catalysts are generally known in the art, and preferred catalysts for this process were titanium alkoxides. The amount of catalyst used was usually 20 to 200 parts titanium per million parts polymer. The combined monomers are heated gradually with mixing to a temperature in the range of 200 to 250 0 C.
• the reactor may be heated directly to 250 0 C, or there may be a hold at a temperature in the range of 200 to 220°C to allow the ester interchange to occur and the volatile products to distill out without loss of the excess diol.
• the ester interchange step was usually completed at a temperature ranging from 240 to 260 0 C. The completion of the interchange step was determined from the amount of alcohol and/or water collected and by falling temperatures at the top of the distillation column.
• the second step, polycondensation, was carried out at 240 to 260°C under vacuum to distill out the excess diol. It was preferred to apply the vacuum gradually to avoid bumping of the reactor contents. Stirring was continued under full vacuum (generally less than 1 Torr) until the desired melt viscosity was reached. A practitioner experienced with the reactor would be able to determine if the reaction had reached the desired melt viscosity from the torque on the stirrer motor. Generally, desirable physical properties are achieved when zero shear melt viscosity at 260 0 C is greater than at least 1000 Poise. More typically, values above 2000 Poise are achieved. In some embodiments, values above 5000 Poise are desired.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters can be blended with other polymeric materials. Such materials can be biodegradable or not biodegradable. The materials can be naturally derived, modified naturally derived or synthetic. According to DIN EN13432, a material is considered biodegradable if greater than 90% of its organic carbon is converted to carbon dioxide prior to 180 days in a controlled aerobic composting test.
• biodegradable materials suitable for blending with the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include poly(hydroxy alkanoates), polycarbonates, poly(caprolactone), aliphatic polyesters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters, aliphatic-aromatic copolyamideesters, sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters, sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters, sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyether
• blendable biodegradable materials include the Biomax® sulfonated aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters of the DuPont Company, the Eastar Bio® aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters of the Eastman Chemical Company, the Ecoflex® aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters of the BASF corporation, poly(1 ,4-butylene terephthalate-co-adipate, (50:50, molar), the EnPol® polyesters of the Ire Chemical Company, poly(1 ,4- butylene succinate), the Bionolle® polyesters of the Showa High Polymer Company, poly(ethylene succinate), poly(1 ,4-butylene adipate-co- succinate) , poly(1 ,4-butylene adipate), poly(amide esters), the Bak® poly(amide esters) of the Bayer Company, poly(ethylene carbonate), poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(hydroxyvalerate), poly(hydroxybutyrate-
• nonbiodegradable polymeric materials suitable for blending with the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include polyethylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ultralow density polyethylene, polyolefins, ply(ethylene-co-glycidylmethacrylate), poly(ethylene-co-methyl (meth) acrylate-co-glycidyl acrylate), poly(ethylene-co-n-butyl acrylate-co-glycidyl acrylate), poly(ethylene-co-methyl acrylate), poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(ethylene-co-butyl acrylate), poly(ethylene-co-(meth) acrylic acid), metal salts of poly(ethylene-co-(meth)acrylic acid), poly((meth)acrylates), such as poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene-co-carbon monoxide), polyvinyl acetate), poly(ethylene-(
• Examples of natural polymeric materials suitable for blending with the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include starches such as starch, starch derivatives, modified starch, thermoplastic starch, cationic starch, anionic starch, starch esters, such as starch acetate, starch hydroxyethyl ether, alkyl starches, dextrins, amine starches, phosphate starches, dialdehyde starches; celluloses such as cellulose, cellulose derivatives, modified cellulose, cellulose esters, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose diacetate, cellulose propionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose valerate, cellulose triacetate, cellulose thpropionate, cellulose thbutyrate, and cellulose mixed esters, such as cellulose acetate propionate and cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose ethers, such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxymethylethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methyl cellulose,
• Thermoplastic starch can be produced, for example, as disclosed within U. S. Pat. No. 5,362,777.
• any natural polymeric material known can be blended with the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters can be used to make a wide variety of shaped articles. Shaped articles that can be made from the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters include film, sheets, fiber, melt blown containers, molded parts such as cutlery, foamed parts, coatings, polymeric melt extrusion coatings on substrates, polymeric solution coatings onto substrates, and laminates.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters are useful in making any shaped article that can be made from a polymer such as a copolyester.
• the aliphatic-aromatic copolyetheresters can be formed into such shaped articles using any known process therefore.
• the intrinsic viscosity (IV) of polyester polymer was determined using a Viscotek Forced Flow Viscometer (FFV) Model Y-900. Samples were dissolved in 50/50 wt% thfluoroacetic acid/methylene chloride (TFA/CH2CI2) at a 0.4% (wt/vol) concentration at 19°C. The intrinsic viscosity values reported by this method were equivalent to values determined using Goodyear Method R-103b "Determination of Intrinsic Viscosity in 50/50 [by weight] Thfluoroacetic Acid/Dichloromethane".
• This method can be applied to any polyester (i.e. poly(ethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(trimethylene terephthalate (3GT), poly(butylene terephthalate (PBT), poly(ethylene naphthalate (PEN)) which is completely soluble in the 50/50 wt% TFA/CH 2 CI 2 solvent mixture.
• PET poly(ethylene terephthalate
• 3GT poly(trimethylene terephthalate
• PBT poly(butylene terephthalate
• PEN poly(ethylene naphthalate
• a sample size of 0.1000 g polyester was typically used to prepare a 25 ml polymer solution. Complete dissolution of the polymer generally occurred within 8 hours at room temperature. Dissolution time was dependent on the molecular weight, crystallinity, chemical structure, and form (i.e. fiber, film, ground, pellet) of the polyester.
• compositions of the polymers were determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, NMR. Several pellets or flakes for each sample were dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid-d1 at room temp (one can also heat the sample to 5O 0 C without seeing any structural changes in order to speed up dissolution). The samples were placed in a 10mm NMR tube and enough solvent was added to totally dissolve the sample. They were then placed in a 5mm NMR tubes and their NMR spectra were obtained at 3O 0 C on a Varian S 400MHz Spectrometer. Mole-% composition of the sample was determined from integration of appropriate areas of the spectrum.
• the mole percents indicated for the di-n-propylene glycol (DPG) contents of the examples are on the basis of all monomers (both the acid component and the glycol component) that make up the polymer. Since the copolyetheresters consist of equal parts acid component and glycol component, these values would be doubled if it is desired to convert to a basis of the glycol component alone.
• Examples 1 -4 demonstrate that glycol ether formation can be controlled by varying the process conditions used to produce otherwise very similar compositions. These examples demonstrate that the presence of a compound with a strong acid moiety, for example a sulfonated compound, promotes dimehzation of diol monomers. They also demonstrate that the use of methyl esters of dicarboxylic acids rather than the dicarboxylic acids themselves during polymerization can limit the formation of glycol dimers.
• the reaction mixture was then heated to 25O 0 C over 45 minutes and held at this temperature for 30 minutes while 26mL of distillate was collected.
• the reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 30 minutes with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 3 hours while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have an IV of 1.3dl_/g, a Tm of 155 0 C, and a DPG content of 0.9 mole %.
• Example 2 To a 25OmL glass flask were added 36.Og 1 ,3-propanediol, 37.5g terephthalic acid, 28.Og sebacic acid, and 0.024g titanium(IV) isopropoxide. The reaction mixture was stirred while the vessel was evacuated by vacuum to approximately 100 Torr and brought back to atmospheric pressure under nitrogen 3 times. With continuous stirring under the nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction mixture was first heated to 16O 0 C over 10 minutes and then to 25O 0 C over an additional 40 minutes. The reaction mixture was held at this temperature under the nitrogen atmosphere with continuous stirring for 2 hours while 12ml_ of distillate was collected.
• the reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 1 hour with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 2 hours while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have an IV of 1.7dl_/g, a Tm of 155 0 C, and a DPG content of 0.2 mole %.
• the reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 25 minutes with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 3 hours while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have an IV of 0.9dl_/g, a Tm of 157 0 C, and a DPG content of 0.1 mole %.
• the reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 10 minutes with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 3.5 hours while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have an IV of 1.1dl_/g, a Tm of 127 0 C, and a DPG content of 7.9 mole %.
• Examples 5 - 20 These examples illustrate that control over thermal properties of polyesters can be attained via control over glycol ether formation. They also illustrate that in addition to the choice of monomers (as illustrated in examples 1 -4), outside factors can be used to control glycol ether formation. As one example, a sulfonated compound, toluenesulfonic acid, that does not incorporate into the polymer chain, can be used in place of one that does, dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt. As another, a basic compound, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, can be used to limit formation of the glycol ether. The level of catalyst used to promote esterification can be used to favor or disfavor production of glycol ethers. Generally, the amount of the above compounds added to the reaction vessel can be adjusted to control dimerization of the charged glycols.
• reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 30 minutes with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 3 hours while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have the properties listed in the table below.
• the compounds have been abbreviated as follows: 1 ,3-propanediol (3G), dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), terephthalic acid (TPA), sebacic acid (Seb), dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt (SIPA) , titanium(IV) isopropoxide (TPT), toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH), tetramethylammonium hydroxide, microliters of a 3M aqueous solution (TMAH), di-n-propylene glycol (DPG).
• 3G dimethyl terephthalate
• TPA terephthalic acid
• Seb sebacic acid
• SIPA dimethyl 5-sulfoisophthalate sodium salt
• TPT titanium(IV) isopropoxide
• TsOH toluenesulfonic acid
• TMAH di-n-propylene glycol
• the reaction mixture was then heated to 25O 0 C over 25 minutes and held at this temperature for 105 minutes while 14ml_ of distillate was collected.
• the reaction vessel was then staged to full vacuum (approximately 60 mTorr) over the course of 25 minutes with continuous stirring at 25O 0 C.
• the vessel was held under these conditions for a further 140 minutes while additional distillate was collected. Vacuum was then released with nitrogen, and the reaction mixture was allowed to return to room temperature. Under laboratory analysis, the sample was determined to have an IV of 0.92dl_/g, a Tg of -3 0 C, and a diethylene glycol content of 5.9 mole %.

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