Polyterephthalates Bearing Bio-based Moieties

Dimethyl terephthalate was reacted with 5,5′-Isopropylidene-bis(ethyl 2-furoate), 1,4:3,6-dianhydrohexitols and ethan-1,2-diol in order to obtain PET incorporating bio-based moieties. Polycondensation was achieved in two steps: (i) the formation of a hydroxyethyl-terminated oligomer by reaction of starting diester mixture with excess ED and, (ii) a polycondensation step with elimination of ED was used to obtain high molar mass copolyesters. Copolymers of various compositions were synthesized and characterized by ¹H-NMR, SEC, DSC and TGA. The resulting materials are amorphous polymers (T _g = 104–127 °C) with good thermal stability.