Polyester films obtained by noncatalyzed melt‐condensation polymerization of aleuritic (9,10,16‐trihydroxyhexadecanoic) acid in air

To mimic nontoxic and fully biodegradable biopolymers like the plant cutin, polyester films from a natural occurring fatty polyhydroxyacid like aleuritic (9,10,16‐trihydroxyhexadecanoic) acid have been prepared by noncatalyzed melt‐polycondensation at moderate temperature (150°C) directly in air. The course of the reaction has been followed by infrared spectroscopy, ¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X‐ray diffraction and well differentiated stages are observed. First, a high conversion esterification reaction leads to an amorphous rubbery, infusible, and insoluble material whose structure is made out of ester linkages mostly involving primary hydroxyls and partially branched by minor esterification with secondary ones. Following the esterification stage, the cleavage of vicinal secondary hydroxyls and further oxidation to carboxylic acid is observed at the near surface region of films. New carboxylic groups created also undergo esterification and generate cross‐linking points within the polymer structure. Additionally, and despite the harsh preparation conditions used, very little additional side reaction like peroxidation and dehydration are observed. Results demonstrate the feasibility of polyester films fabrication from a reference fatty polyhydroxyacid like aleuritic acid by noncatalyzed melt‐polycondensation directly in air. The methodology can potentially be extended to similar natural occurring hydroxyacids to obtain films and coatings to be used, for instance, as nontoxic and biodegradable food packaging material. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41328.