Synthesis and characterization of polyesteramides derived from an oxazoline-functional alcohol and dicarboxylic acid anhydrides

Novel polyesteramides were synthesized by copolymerization in bulk of 5-(4, 5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl)-1-pentanol and various cyclic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides at temperatures varying between 120 and 200 degrees C. The polym ers resulting from polycondensation were characterized by means of H-1-NMR, FTIR, MALDI-TOF-MS, SEC, and DSC. The glass transition temperatures, T-g, of the copolymers were varied between -28 and +31 degrees C as a function o f the anhydride type. Molecular weights, M-w, were dependent on reaction te mperature, reaction time, and anhydride type. Spectroscopic investigation o f reaction products and esteramide model compounds provided evidence for im ide by-product formation, which accounts for the low degree of polymerizati on. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.