Synthesis of new polyesters with chelating subunits by solution and interfacial polycondensation

Abstract New polyesters have been prepared by solution and interfacial polycondensation of acid chlorides obtained from bis‐α,ω‐polymethylene‐[(2‐methoxy)phenoxy]acetic acids, acid‐ether siderophores AE n (n being the number of methylene units), and diols including bisphenol A, ethylene glycol and propanediol. For interfacial polycondensation, average molecular weights range from 1000 to 4500 g mol−1; at higher temperature the molecular weights increase but the yield is smaller. Differential scanning calorimetry shows Tg ranging from −5 to + 110 °C. Polyesters are crystalline with n  = 6 and amorphous with n  = 2 and 4; in addition, increasing n in AE n increases molecular weights and Tg values. In solution polycondensation, the average molecular weights are around 3000 g mol−1 and Tg is low. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry