Renewably Derived Polyesters and Methods of Making and Using the Same

Abstract

Polyester compositions are disclosed herein, as well as methods of making and using such polyesters. In some embodiments, the polyesters are formed from monomers derived from natural oils. In some embodiments, the polyesters are highly branched polymers, such as highly branched polymers that have low viscosity at higher molecular weights.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A block copolymer, which comprises a first block and a second block, wherein the first block comprises a polyester polymer comprising constitutional units formed from a reaction mixture comprising one of more monomers of Formula (I): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 1  is —OH or —OR 2 ; 
 R 2  is C 1-6  alkyl or C 1-6  oxyalkyl; and 
 X 1  is C 4-10  alkylene. 
 
       
     
     
         32 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , where the second block comprises a poly(alkylene oxide). 
     
     
         33 . The block copolymer of  claim 32 , wherein the poly(alkylene oxide) is selected from the group consisting of poly(ethylene oxide), poly(1,2-propylene oxide), and poly(1,3-propylene oxide). 
     
     
         34 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the second block comprises polycaprolactone. 
     
     
         35 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the second block comprises a polycarbamate. 
     
     
         36 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the second block comprises a polyester. 
     
     
         37 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the second block comprises a polyamide. 
     
     
         38 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the second block comprises a polyamide ester. 
     
     
         39 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein R 1  is —OH. 
     
     
         40 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein R 1  is —OR 2 . 
     
     
         41 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein R 2  is methyl. 
     
     
         42 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein X 1  is —(CH 2 ) 7 —. 
     
     
         43 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the reaction mixture further comprises monomers of Formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 X 2  is C 2-12  alkylene or C 2-12  oxyalkylene. 
 
       
     
     
         44 . The block copolymer of  claim 43 , wherein X 2  is —(CH 2 ) 2 —, —(CH 2 ) 4 —, or —(CH 2 ) 6 —. 
     
     
         45 . The block copolymer of any one of  claim 31 , wherein the reaction mixture further comprises one or more diacids, or esters thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The block copolymer of  claim 45 , wherein the one or more diacids, or esters thereof, are selected from the group consisting of oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, suberic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid, 1,12-dodecanedioic acid, 1,14-tetradecanedioic acid, 1,16-hexadecanedioic acid, 1,18-octadecanedioic acid, 1,20-eicosanedioic acid, 1,22-docosanedioic acid, 1,18-octadec-9-enedioic acid, and esters of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
         47 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the reaction mixture further comprises one or more hydroxy acids, or esters thereof. 
     
     
         48 . The block copolymer of  claim 47 , wherein the one or more hydroxy acids, or esters thereof, are selected from the group consisting of α-hydroxy acids, β-hydroxy acids, ω-hydroxy acids, and esters of any of the foregoing. 
     
     
         49 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the reaction mixture further comprises one or more branching agents. 
     
     
         50 . The block copolymer of  claim 31 , wherein the reaction mixture further comprises one or more cross-linking agents.