A new addition to the family of polyesters—Synthesis and characterization of novel (alternating) poly(ether ester)s, poly(butylene 3-/4-hydoxy benzoate)s

Novel, predominantly alternating poly(ether ester)s, poly(butylene-3/4-hydroxy benzoate)s (PBHB)s were synthesized by the hydrogenation of the corresponding unsaturated polymers obtained by forming ether and ester linkages under one pot conditions. The ether substitution caused a reduction in glass transition temperature, T_g. The melting transition was also lowered by more than 100°C compared to poly(butylene terephthalate) as studied by the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Crystallization was observed during heating as well as cooling in the DSC studies. Wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD) analysis also indicated that PB-4-HB was semi-crystalline in nature. The thermal stability of hydrogenated polymer was better than that of the unsaturated polymer.