E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
PROCESS FOR PREPARING POLY (TRIMETHYLENE FURANDICARBOXYLATE)

Abstract:

A process is disclosed herein, the process comprising: a) contacting a mixture comprising furandicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester, 1,3-propanediol, and a metal catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 160.degree. C. to 220.degree. C. to form a prepolymer, wherein the mole ratio of the furandicarboxylic acid dialkyl ester to the 1,3-propanediol is in the range of from 1:1.3 to 1:2.2 and the concentration of metal catalyst is in the range of from 20 ppm to 400 ppm, based on the total weight of the mixture; b) removing at least a portion of the unreacted 1,3-propanediol; and c) heating the prepolymer to a temperature in the range of from 230.degree. C. to 260.degree. C. under reduced pressure to form poly(trimethylene furandicarboxylate) polymer while removing 1,3-propanediol. The poly(trimethylene furandicarboxylate) polymer