Summary: A new method for the preparation of poly(ester amide)s derived from glycolic acid units has been developed. Glycolic acid units can be incorporated with a high yield into a nylon‐n or a nylon‐n,m. The synthesis is based on a final thermal polycondensation with the formation of a metal halide salt as a driving force. New poly(ester amide)s have high molecular weights, good mechanical behaviour, and variable thermal properties, giving rise to a group of materials with potential interest as biodegradable materials in applications like surgical sutures.
Results of the differential scanning calorimeter heating runs for the sodium (a) and potassium (b) salts of N‐chloroacetyl‐6‐aminohexanoic acid.