Synthesis, characterization and biodegradation studies of chain-coupled polyesters based on tartaric acid

A series of chain-coupled polyesters based on tartaric acid was synthesized and characterized following a two-step procedure. In the first step, tartaric acid based hydroxyl terminated polyesters with various alkane diols were prepared and then, in a second step, a chain-coupling approach using hexamethylene diisocyanate was employed on the synthesized polyesters to prepare a series of chain-coupled polyesters. The number-average molecular weights (M-n) of the polyesters were found to vary in the range (4.8 - 28.1) x 10(3) g mol(-1). Thermomechanical studies demonstrate that the storage modulus of the chain-coupled polyesters decreases with increasing polymethylene chain length which is attributable to enhanced flexibility. The isolation of bacteria on medium containing polymer as the sole source of carbon indicates the ability of the synthesized polyesters to be taken up by microorganisms for growth. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry