Coordination polymers from polycondensates and metal oxides. II. Effect of water molecules on the reactions of polyesters with Mgo and Zno

Polyester molecules containing free carboxyl end-groups react with MgO and ZnO as polydendate ligands to form donor–acceptor complexes, followed by the increase in molecular weight of the original polyester. The role of water in these coordination reactions was studied. It was demonstrated that the water can catalyze the reactions by promoting an ionization effect. In some case it can coordinate to the metal compound and effectively compete with the other ligands present.