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Composition and process for the production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates)
Assignee: Eastman Chemical Co
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Filing: 1994-11-09
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Granted: 1996-10-08
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Expires: 2014-11-09
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a novel process for the production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) through the condensation polymerization of esters of 3-hydroxyalkanoic acids at a temperature of about 90° to 200° C. in the presence of a titanium catalyst. Also is disclosed a novel composition that is a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) containing predominantly carboxylic ester end groups.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Hubbs
- 👤 Marti N. Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:22
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/78; C08G63/82; C08G63/85; C08G63/02; C08G63/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
82 words
A process for the production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) comprising reacting, in the presence of a titanium catalyst, at a temperature of about 90° to 200° C., a hydroxyalkanoate ester of the formula: ##STR6## to produce a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) of the formula: ##STR7## wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; and n is greater than 10.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
82 words
A process for the production of poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) comprising reacting, in the presence of a titanium catalyst, at a temperature of about 90° to 200° C., a hydroxyalkanoate ester of the formula: ##STR6## to produce a poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) of the formula: ##STR7## wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; and n is greater than 10.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said titanium catalyst is a titanium (IV) alkoxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said titanium catalyst is present during the reaction at a concentration of about 1 to 600 ppm based on the total contents of the reactor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is run neat.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction temperature is about 140° to 180° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted under vacuum.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 6 wherein said vacuum is about 50 to 0.0001 mmHg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process according to claim 7 wherein the reaction is conducted for at least 15 minutes under vacuum.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted in the melt phase.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein the reaction is conducted with vigorous agitation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and straight chain alkyls and R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 linear alkyls and aryls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process according to claim 1 wherein said hydroxyalkanoate ester is optically enriched.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
A composition comprising the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) of the formula: ##STR8## wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; and n is greater than 10; and wherein the composition contains predominantly carboxylic ester end groups.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A composition comprising the poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) of the formula: ##STR8## wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl; and n is greater than 10; and wherein the composition contains predominantly carboxylic ester end groups.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein n is greater than 50.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
34 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and straight chain alkyls and R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 linear alkyls and aryls.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein said poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) is at least partially isotactic.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein said poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) is poly(3-hydroxybutyrate).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition according to claim 17 wherein the composition is substantially free of β-lactone.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein said poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate) is substantially free of free carboxylic acid end groups.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition according to claim 13 wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of methyl and phenyl.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5334698A
Cited
US5281691A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |