Synthesis and characterization of novel renewable polyesters based on 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid and 2,3-butanediol

Novel polyesters from 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or 2,5-dimethyl-furandicarboxylate and 2,3-butanediol have been synthesized via bulk polycondensation catalyzed by titanium (IV) n-butoxide, tin (IV) ethylhexanoate, or zirconium (IV) butoxide. The polymers were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), matrix-assisted laser ionization-desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, electrospray ionization quadruple time-of-flight mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Fully bio-based polyesters with number average molecular weights ranging from 2 to 7 kg/mol were obtained which can be suitable for coating applications. The analysis of their thermal properties proved that these polyesters are thermally stable up to 270–300 °C, whereas their glass transition temperature (Tg) values were found between 70 and 110 °C. Furthermore, a material was prepared with a molecular weight of 13 kg/mol, with a Tg of 113 °C. This high Tg would make this material possibly suitable for hot-fill applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 201