Thermal polymerization of uniform macrocyclic ethylene terephthalate dimer

Thermal ring-opening polymerization of uniform macrocyclic ethylene terepht halate dimer was examined at various temperatures above its melting point. From SEC study, it can be indicated that the polymerization proceeded throu gh chain reaction, not through a typical polycombination reaction. Maximum molecular weight of the polymer obtained under optimum reaction conditions reached to a sufficiently high level of more than 20,000 (M-w). It is notew orthy that this new reaction for synthesizing poly(ethylene terephthalate) progresses without any catalyst under atmospheric pressure. (C) 2000 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.