Synthesis and Characterization of Poly（butylene adipate-co-terephthalate） Catalyzed by Rare Earth Stearates

Rare earth （Nd, Y, La, Dy） stearates have been synthesized and used as single component catalysts for the polycondensation of dimethyl terephthalate, adipic acid and 1,4-butanediol for the first time preparing biodegradable poly（butylene adipate-co-terephthalate） （PBAT） with high molecular weight, The microstructures of PBAT were characterized by ^1H NMR spectra. The PBAT exhibits good mechanical properties such as high tensile strength （ca. 20 MPa） and long break elongation （〉700%）.     

Homopolymerization and Copolymerization of Adipic Anhydride with ε-Caprolactone Catalyzed by Rare Earth Trisphenolate

The ring-opening polymerization of adipic anhydride and the ring-opening copolymerization of adipic anhydride with ε-caprolactone catalyzed by single component rare earth trisphenolate have been reported. The structure of the copolymer poly（CL-b-AA） has been characterized by SEC, ^1H NMR and DSC.