Polyethylene like polymers. Aliphatic polyesters of dodecanedioic acid 1. Synthesis and properties

A series of aliphatic polyesters has been synthesized starting from 1,12-dodecanedioic acid and aliphatic diols, bearing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms. These polymers, which were fully characterized in terms of chemical structure, molecular weight and thermal behaviour, were obtained as crystalline materials with melting points ranging from 70 to 90 degreesC and with a relatively high molecular weight. All the monomers used can be obtained from biomasses, as a consequence these materials can be an interesting alternative to synthetic polymers produced from petrochemical processes based on nonrenewable resources. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.