Catalytic composition comprising titanium and phosphorous, its preparation and its use for condensing an epoxide on a carboxylic acid anhydride

The object of the invention is a catalytic composition comprising titanium and phosphorus and resulting from the contacting of at least one titanate with at least one quaternary "onium" salt of an acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid and the phosphonic acids of formula R.sup.7 H.sub.2 PO.sub.3 in which R.sup.7 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon and the "onium" remainder is a remainder of formula (R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 R.sup.11 M).sup.+ in which M is an element from the group VA of the periodic table of elements, preferably nitrogen or phosphorous, and R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10 and R.sup.11, identical or different, represent each an atom of hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of carbon. This catalytic composition is utilizable for producing asters and polyesters from epoxides and carboxylic acid anhydrides.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a catalytic composition comprising 
titanium and phosphorus, its preparation and its use notably as an 
esterification catalyst of at least one epoxide by at least one carboxylic 
acid anhydride. 
The present invention particularly relates to the production of esters from 
at least one epoxide and at least one carboxylic acid anhydride, for 
example a monocarboxylic acid anhydride. 
It also relates to the production of a condensation copolymer or polyester 
with a regular alternation of each type of compounds reacted and resulting 
from the condensation of at least one epoxide on at least one cyclic 
anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid. 
This type of esterification or polyesterification is different from the 
conventional process which employs a dihydroxyl compound (or diol) and an 
anhydride or a carboxylic acid, notably in that the reaction involves the 
opening of the oxirane ring and in that no volatile matter is generated 
during the reaction. It is also different in that the reaction temperature 
does usually not exceed 150.degree. to 200.degree. C. 
Numerous works have been published on the synthesis of esters and more 
particularly of polyesters from epoxides and anhydrides of carboxylic 
acids in the presence of catalysts of different types. These works show 
that one major problem encountered during the reaction of the epoxide on 
the anhydride in order to obtain an ester or a polyester is linked with 
the homopolymerization of epoxide. 
In the case of the condensation between an epoxide (or epoxide derivative) 
and a cyclic anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid, these works are for example 
summarized by LUSTON and VASS (Advances in Polymer Sciences 1984, Vol. 56, 
p.91 and following pages) or by ISHII and SAKAI (Ring opening 
polymerisation, p.13 and following pages, published by K. C. FRISCH and S. 
L. REEGEN, MARCEL DEKKER 1969). 
In the case of the reaction of an epoxide on a dicarboxylic acid anhydride 
in order to produce an alternate polyester, the homopolymerization of the 
epoxide leads to the obtaining of a sequenced polyether-polyester or to 
mixtures of polymers, in particular when LEWIS acids (TiCl.sub.4, 
BF.sub.3, are used as condensation catalysts. In order to overcome this 
drawback, it has been suggested, in prior art, to utilize anionic or 
coordination catalysts. 
FISCHER (Journal of Polymer Science 1960, Vol. 44, p.155 and following 
pages) has shown that the use of a tertiary amine as the condensation 
catalyst of an anhydride on an epoxide allows obtained an alternate 
condensation. Still, this type of catalyst is ineffective in the case of 
maleic anhydride, probably because of the complex side reactions with the 
amines at the level of the double maleic bond. Other types of anionic 
catalysts such as the salts of alkaline metals or the tetra-alkylammonium 
salts have also been utilized. 
For example, WADILL, MILLIGAN and PEPELL (Industrial and Engineering 
Chemistry, Product Research and Development 1964, Vol.3 Part 1, p.53 and 
following pages) describe the use of lithium chloride in the presence of 
protonic substances at 150.degree. C. These authors suggest that the 
homopolymerization of epoxide represents part of their process. As an 
example of coordination catalysts, the dialkylzinc mentioned by INOUE et 
al. (Makromoleculare Chemie 1969, Vol.126, p.250 and following pages) can 
be cited; in fact, this type of coordination catalyst is only applicable, 
according to INOUE et al., to phthalic anhydride. 
Other catalysts, based on transition metals, have also been described 
before. FISCHER (cited above) thus observes a partial homopolymerization 
of glycidic epoxide during its polycondensation with phthalic anhydride in 
the presence of tetrabutyl titanate. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,546,176 describes the use of tetrabutyl anhydride for 
producing unsaturated polyesters from anhydrides of unsaturated acids and 
epoxides. Nevertheless, as confirmed by a test performed by the applicant 
and described hereafter, this catalyst does not allow obtaining, with a 
sufficient reaction velocity (a velocity which requires a relatively high 
temperature), a polymer with a good alternation of the units stemming from 
the anhydride and the epoxide. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
One problem which the present invention aims to solve is the obtaining of 
an ester or a polyester at a low temperature while having a very high 
reaction velocity and a considerable conversion of each one of the 
reagents utilized in this synthesis. 
Another problem which the present invention aims to solve is the maximum 
limiting of the homopolymerization of the epoxide. 
Another problem which the present invention aims to solve is the use of a 
condensation catalyst utilizable with an anhydride such as maleic 
anhydride as well as with an anhydride such as phthalic anhydride, in 
order to obtain perfectly alternated polyesters. 
Another problem which the present invention aims to solve is the use of a 
condensation catalyst utilizable with an internal epoxide, that is to say 
an epoxide in which each atom of carbon of the oxirane ring has at least 
one substituent other than an atom of hydrogen, as well as with a terminal 
epoxide, that is to say an epoxide in which at least one of the atoms of 
carbon of the oxirane ring has two atoms of hydrogen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
More precisely, the present invention relates to a catalytic composition 
comprising titanium and phosphorus and resulting from the contacting of at 
least one titanate of general formula (I) : 
EQU Ti(OR).sub.4 (I) 
in which each one of the R groups independantly usually represents a 
hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 atoms of carbon, preferably 1 to 6 atoms 
of carbon and most often 1 to 4 atoms of carbon, 
with at least one quaternary "onium" salt of an acid selected from the 
group consisting of the phosphoric acid of formula H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 and 
the phosphonic acids of general formula (II) : 
EQU R.sup.7 H.sub.2 PO.sub.3 (II) 
in which R.sup.7 is generally a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 38 atoms of 
carbon, preferably 4 to 24 atoms of carbon. Usually, the R.sup.7 group is 
an aliphatic group. The phosphonic acids that are preferably used are 
those in which the R.sup.7 group is an alkyl group, linear or branched. 
The quaternary "onium" remainder is a remainder that is well-known by the 
man skilled in the art of general formula (III): 
EQU (R.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 R.sup.11 M).sup.+ (III) 
in which M is usually an element from group VA of the periodic table of 
elements (Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 68th ed., 1987-1988) and 
preferably nitrogen or phosphorus; R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 
identical or different, usually represent each an atom of hydrogen or a 
hydrocarbon group, possibly substituted by a hydroxyl group, having 1 to 
38 atoms of carbon and most often 1 to 24 atoms of carbon. The R.sup.8, 
R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 groups are preferably alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, 
aryl or aralkyl groups. The quaternary "onium" remainder that is 
preferably utilized is a remainder of general formula (III) in which the 
sum of the atoms of carbon of the R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 
groups ranges from 4 to 80 and most often from 7 to 44. The following non 
limitative examples of quaternary "onium" remainders (ammonium and 
phosphonium) can be cited : tetramethylonium, tetraethylonium, 
tetrapropylonium, tetrabutylonium, tetraphenylonium, tetrabenzylonium, 
methyltributylonium, methyltriethylonium, methyltriphenylonium, 
butyltriphenylonium, ethyltriphenylonium, benzyltrimethylonium, 
benzyltributylonium, benzyltriphenylonium, phenyltrimethylonium, 
octadecyltrimethylonium, naphtyltrimethylonium, tolyltrimethylonium, 
dimethyldioctadecylonium, dimethyldihexadecylonium, 
dioctadecylhydroxyethylmethylonium, dioctadecylhydroxypropylmethylonium 
and tricaprylylmethylonium (C.sub.8 and C.sub.10 mixture with predominance 
of C.sub.8, known as ALIQUAT 336(R)) remainders. 
The quaternary "onium" salt that is utilized derives, as far as the formal 
viewpoint is concerned, from the replacing of one or several protons of 
the phosphoric acid or of the phosphonic acids of the R.sup.7 H.sub.2 
PO.sub.3 type by a quaternary "onium" remainder, defined above, of general 
formula (III). This quaternary "onium" salt may has in its molecule 2, 3 
or 4 atoms of group VA according to the number of salified acid functions 
and to the acid that is used. "Onium" salts comprising 2 or 3 atoms of 
group VA in their molecule are most often utilized. 
Among the titanates of general formula (I), those which are preferably used 
are those in which each one of the R groups independantly represents an 
alkyl group, linear or branched, for example a lower alkyl group having 1 
to 4 atoms of carbon such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, 
isobutyl, tertiobutyl and 1-methyl propyl. 
Usually, the amount of titanate contacted with the quaternary "onium" salt 
of phosphoric or phosphonic acid used is such that the molar ratio 
titanate/quaternary "onium" salt ranges from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1 and 
preferably from about 0.8:1 to about 1.25:1. 
The catalytic composition of the present invention is usually obtained by 
contacting the titanate and the "onium" salt in a liquid medium which is 
preferably an organic liquid and most often a hydrocarbon compound or a 
mixture of hydrocarbon compounds. The liquid medium used is advantageously 
the solvent that is intended to be utilized during the the esterification 
or polyesterification reaction. This contacting is usually achieved at a 
temperature ranging from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C., most 
often from about 10.degree. to about 80.degree. C., and preferably from 
about 15.degree. to about 30.degree. C. The contacting will be 
advantageously carried out at the room temperature (15.degree. to 
25.degree. C). The duration of the contacting between the titanate and the 
"onium" salt generally ranges from about 1 to about 60 minutes, and most 
often from about 1 to about 30 minutes. This contacting is most often 
achieved at the atmospheric pressure, but it can also be performed with a 
pressure higher or lower than the atmospheric pressure. 
It is not imperative to operate under an inert atmosphere, but the 
contacting will be carried out most often under an inert atmosphere of 
nitrogen or argon for example. 
The object of the invention is also the use of the catalytic composition 
defined above as an esterification or polyesterification catalyst of at 
least one epoxide by at least one carboxylic acid anhydride. 
The carboxylic acid anhydride that is usually utilized is a monocarboxylic 
acid anhydride or a dicarboxylic acid anhydride. 
The monocarboxylic acid anhydrides which are possibly used are notably 
those derived from the monocarboxylic acids of general formula R.sup.12 
COOH in which R.sup.12 represents an organic group, preferably a 
hydrocarbon group having usually 1 to 160 atoms of carbon and most often 2 
to 90 atoms of carbon; this group can be possibly substituted by at least 
one hetero-atom or at least one hetero-atomic group. As an example of 
hetero-atoms, halogens and particularly chlorine and bromine can be cited, 
and, as an example of hetero-atomic groups, the oxo and the alkoxy groups 
can be cited. The R.sup.12 group is most often an aliphatic group, for 
example an alkyl or alkylene group, linear or branched, or a 
cyclo-aliphatic group, or an araliphatic group, for example an aryl-alkyl 
(aralkyl) group or an alkyl-aryl (alkaryl) group or an aryl group. The 
anhydride which is used can be an anhydride derived from only one 
monocarboxylic acid (anhydride known as symmetric) or an anhydride derived 
from two different monocarboxylic acids (known as mixed anhydride). 
The cyclic anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid that can be utilized in the 
present invention is preferably an anhydride of a vicinal dicarboxylic 
acid. This vicinal dicarboxylic acid is usually selected from the 
aliphatic or cyclo-aliphatic acids, saturated or unsaturated, most often 
unsaturated, and from the acids having one aromatic ring in their 
molecule. The cyclic anhydride that is utilized usually has 4 to 160 atoms 
of carbon and most often 4 to 90 atoms of carbon in its molecule. 
As non limitative examples of carboxylic acid anhydrides, the anhydrides 
derived from one or two of the following acids can be cited formic acid, 
acetic acid, propanoic acid, the butanoic acids such as butyric acid and 
isobutyric acid, the pentanoic acids such as valeric acid, isovaleric acid 
and pivalic acid, the hexanoic acids such as caproic acid and 2-methyl 
pentanoic acid, the heptanoic acids such as enanthic acid, the octanoic 
acids such as caprylic acid, iso-octanoic acid and 2-ethyl hexanoic acid, 
the nonanoic acids such as isononanoic acid and pelargonic acid, the 
decanoic acids such as capric acid, isodecanoic acid and neodecanoic acid, 
the dodecanoic acids such as lauric acid, the tetradecanoic acids such as 
myristic acid, the hexadecanoic acids such as palmitic acid, the 
octadecanoic acids such as stearic acid, the eicosanoic acids, the 
docosanoic acids such as behenic acid, the tetracosanoic acids, the 
hexacosanoic acids such as cerotic acid, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 
crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid, angelic acid, tiglic acid, sorbic acid, 
the decylenic acids, the undecylenic acids, the dodecylenic acids, 
palmitoleic acid, C18-unsaturate acids such as oleic acid, linoleic acid 
and linolenic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, erucic acid, the 
mono-, di- and tri-chloroacetic acids, 2-chloro propanoic acid, 
2,2-dichloro propanoic acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, benzoic acid, 
cinnamic acid, 2-phenyl propanoic acid, 4-methoxy benzoic acid and toluic 
acid. 
The following non limitative examples of cyclic anhydrides of dicarboxylic 
acids can be cited maleic anhydride, the alkylmaleic anhydrides such as 
for example citraconic or methylmaleic anhydride, the halogenomaleic 
anhydrides such as for example the chloro- and bromo-maleic anhydrides, 
succinic anhydride, the alkenylsuccinic anhydrides such as for example 
itaconic or methylene-succinic anhydride, n-octadecenylsuccinic anhydride 
and dodecenylsuccinic anhydride, the polyalkenylsuccinic anhydrides having 
usually an average molecular mass of about 200 to 3,000 and, most often, 
of about 250 to 2,000 (such as for example the polypropenylsuccinic 
anhydrides, particularly tetrapropenylsuccinic anhydride, and the 
polyisobutenylsuccinic anhydrides often called PIBSA), phthalic anhydride, 
the phthalic anhydrides substituted by at least one atom of halogen and/or 
by at least one alkyl group, for example a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 
atoms of carbon, esterified trimellitic anhydride, 
1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic anhydride, the 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic 
anhydrides substituted by at least one atom of halogen and/or by at least 
one alkyl group, for example a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 atoms of 
carbon, nadic or [2,2,1]bicyclo 5-heptene 2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride and 
the nadic anhydrides substituted by at least one atom of halogen and/or by 
at least one alkyl group, for example a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 
atoms of carbon. 
The following examples of cyclic anhydride of a non vicinal dicarboxylic 
acid can also be cited glutaric anhydride, the glutaric anhydrides 
substituted by at least one atom of halogen and/or by at least one alkyl 
group, for example a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 atoms of carbon, 
glutaconic anhydride and the glutaconic anhydrides substituted by at least 
one atom of halogen and/or by at least one alkyl group, for example a 
lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 atoms of carbon. 
The epoxide compound used within the scope of the present invention is a 
compound having usually 2 to 62 atoms of carbon, preferably 2 to 40 atoms 
of carbon and most often 6 to 36 atoms of carbon in its molecule. This 
epoxide compound is usually either an internal epoxide or a terminal 
epoxide. 
Mono-epoxide compounds are preferably used within the scope of the present 
invention. It is nevertheless also possible to utilize poly-epoxide 
compounds comprising several epoxide groups (oxirane rings) in their 
molecules, for example 2 or 3 epoxide groups. It is also possible to use 
mixtures of epoxide compounds comprising mono-epoxide compounds and 
poly-epoxide compounds. In the case of a condensation of at least one 
cyclic anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid on a mixture of epoxide compounds 
comprising poly-epoxide compounds in order to produce a polymer, mixtures 
usually comprising a proportion of at least 80%, preferably at least 90% 
and, for example, at least 95% by mole of mono-epoxide compounds will be 
used; the molar proportion of poly-epoxide compounds in the mixture 
represents the 100% complement. 
The epoxide that is utilized in the present invention is most often a 
mono-epoxide compound corresponding to the general formula (IV) : 
##STR1## 
in which: 
R.sup.1 and R.sup.3, identical or different, represent each an atom of 
hydrogen or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 4 atoms of carbon such as 
defined above; 
R.sup.2 and R.sup.4, identical or different, represent each an atom of 
hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group, possibly substituted by at least one atom 
of halogen (chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine), having 1 to 60 atoms 
of carbon (such as, for example, an alkyl group, linear or branched, and 
preferably substantially linear, having 1 to 60 atoms of carbon, 
preferably 1 to 38 atoms of carbon and, most often, 4 to 34 atoms of 
carbon, an alkenyl group, linear or branched, preferably substantially 
linear, comprising one or several double bonds and having 2 to 60 atoms of 
carbon, preferably 2 to 38 atoms of carbon and, most often, 4 to 34 atoms 
of carbon, a cyclo-aliphatic group having 3 to 60 atoms of carbon and 
preferably 5 to 38 atoms of carbon, an aryl group having 6 to 60 atoms of 
carbon, an aryl-alkyl (aralkyl) group or an alkyl-aryl (alkaryl) group 
having 7 to 60 atoms of carbon or the corresponding groups substituted by 
at least one atom of halogen), an alkoxyalkyl group of formula R.sup.5 
--O--R.sup.6 in which R.sup.5 represents a hydrocarbon group, possibly 
substituted by at least one atom of halogen, having 1 to 60 atoms of 
carbon such as, for example, the hydrocarbon groups described above, and 
R.sup. 6 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 60 atoms of 
carbon such as, for example, an alkylene group having 1 to 60 atoms of 
carbon, an alkenylene group having 2 to 60 atoms of carbon and, most 
often, 2 to 38 atoms of carbon, a cyclo-alkylene group having 3 to 60 
atoms of carbon and most often 5 to 38 atoms of carbon or an arylene group 
having 6 to 60 atoms of carbon and, most often, 6 to 38 atoms of carbon; 
R.sup.2 can also represent a group of formula R.sup.5 --CO--R.sup.6 -- or 
a group of formula R.sup.5 --CO--O--R.sup.6 --, in which R.sup.5 and 
R.sup.6 have the definition given above, such as, for example, an 
alkoxycarbonyl-alkylene group or an alkylcarbonyloxyalkylene group; 
R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 can also form together with the atoms of carbon to 
which they are linked a ring, saturated or unsaturated, having for example 
4 to 62 atoms of carbon. 
The mono-epoxide compounds which are used most often are those in which 
R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 represent each an atom of hydrogen and preferably 
those in which R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent each an atom of 
hydrogen. 
As an example of preferred mono-epoxide compounds, can be cited the 
compounds in which R.sup.1, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 represent each an atom of 
hydrogen and R.sup.2 represents a substantially linear alkyl group having 
4 to 34 atoms of carbon; a substantially linear alkoxyalkyl group of 
formula R.sup.5 --O--R.sup.6 --, an alkoxycarbonylalkylene group of 
formula R.sup.5 --O--CO--R.sup.6 -- or an alkylcarbonyloxyalkylene group 
of formula R.sup.5 --CO--O--R.sup.6 -- in which R.sup.5 represents an 
alkyl group, substantially linear, having 1 to 37 atoms of carbon and 
preferably 1 to 25 atoms of carbon and R.sup.6 represents an alkylene 
group, substantially linear, having 1 to 37 atoms of carbon and preferably 
1 to 33 atoms of carbon, the sum of the atoms of carbon of R.sup.5 and 
R.sup.6 ranging most often from 2 to 38 and preferably from 4 to 34. 
The following specific examples of mono-epoxide compounds can be 
cited:ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, 1,2-epoxy butane, 1,2-epoxy 
pentane, 1,2-epoxy hexane, 1,2-epoxy heptane, 1,2-epoxy octane, 1,2-epoxy 
nonane, 1,2-epoxy decane, 1,2-epoxy undecane, 1,2-epoxy dodecane, 
1,2-epoxy tetradecane, 1,2-epoxy pentadecane, 1,2-epoxy hexadecane, 
1,2-epoxy heptadecane, 1,2-epoxy octadecane, 1,2-epoxy nonadecane, 
1,2-epoxy eicosane, 1,2-epoxy docosane, 1,2-epoxy tetracosane, 
1,2-hexacosane, the epoxide polybutenes of average molecular mass (Mn) 
ranging from about 100 to about 1,000, 2,3-epoxy butane, 2,3-epoxy 
pentane, 2,3-epoxy hexane, 3,4-epoxy heptane, 2,3-epoxy octane, 3,4-epoxy 
octane, 3,4-epoxy decane, 9,10-epoxy octadecane, 3-ethoxy 1,2-epoxy 
propane, 3-propoxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 3-butoxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 
3-pentyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 3-hexyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 3-heptyloxy 
1,2-epoxy propane, 3-octyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 3-decyloxy 1,2-epoxy 
propane, 3-dodecyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 1-acetoxy 2,3-epoxy propane, 
1-butyryloxy 2,3-epoxy propane, 1-lauroyloxy 2,3-epoxy propane, 
3-myristoyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 3-palmitoyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, 
3-stearoyloxy 1,2-epoxy propane, the alkylic esters, for example methylic, 
ethylic, n-propylic, isopropylic, n-butylic, secbutylic, isobutylic, 
tertiobutylic, 2-ethyl hexylic and hexadecylic of the 3,4-epoxy butanoic, 
4,5-epoxy pentanoic, 3,4-epoxy nonanoic, 10,11-epoxy undecanoic, 6,7-epoxy 
octadecanoic, 12,13-epoxy octadecanoic, 11,12-epoxy octadecanoic, 
9,10-epoxy octadecanoic, 11,12-epoxy eicosanoic and 13,14-epoxy docosanoic 
acids, 1-chloro 2,3-epoxy propane, 2,3-epoxy 2-methyl butane, 
epoxycyclopentane, epoxycyclohexane, epoxycyclododecane, alphapineneoxide 
(2,7,7-trimethyl 3-oxa 4,1,1,0-tricyclo octane) and styrene oxide 
(phenyloxirane). 
The following specific example of a mixture of epoxide compounds comprising 
poly-epoxides can be cited: the mixture of alkylic esters obtained by 
esterification of a mixture of epoxyacids resulting from the epoxidation 
of a mixture of ethylene-unsaturated fat acids. 
The mixture of ethylene-unsaturated fat acids is for example a mixture 
comprising, in approximate proportions by weight given in table (I) 
hereafter, acids having 12 to 20 atoms of carbon in their molecule and 
containing saturated and unsaturated acids; this mixture is usually called 
olein. 
TABLE I 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
ACIDS 
C.sub.12 * 
C.sub.14 * 
C.sub.14.1 
C.sub.15 * 
C.sub.16 * 
C.sub.16.1 
C.sub.17.1 
C.sub.18 * 
C.sub.18.1 
C.sub.18.2 
C.sub.18.3 
C.sub.20.1 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
% wt. 
0.8 
2.7 
1.0 
0.5 
5.0 
5.5 
1.5 
1.5 
68.0 
10.0 
2.5 
1.0 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
*saturated acids 
In table (I) above C.sub.p.1 represents acids with an 
ethylene-unsaturation, C.sub.p.2 represents acids with 2 
ethylene-unsaturations and C.sub.p.3 represents acids with 3 
ethylene-unsaturations (p is the number of atoms of carbon of the acid). 
For esterifying the mixture of epoxyacids, a mixture of alcohols comprising 
in approximate proportions by weight about 95% of n-hexadecylic alcohol, 
3% of n-octadecylic alcohol and 2% of alcohols having more than 18 atoms 
of carbon in their molecule is for example used. 
The reaction between at least one epoxide and at least one carboxylic acid 
anhydride can be carried out in the presence or in the absence of a 
solvent. A solvent is in general preferably utilized, such as for example 
a hydrocarbon solvent. The following non limitative examples of utilizable 
hydrocarbon solvents can be cited:benzene, toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, 
cyclohexane, hexane or a mixture of hydrocarbons such as, for example, a 
hydrocarbon cut with a high boiling point such as a gas oil, a kerosine, 
or the commercial cut SOLVESSO 150 (190.degree.-209.degree.C.) containing 
99% by weight of aromatic compounds. It is also possible to use mixtures 
of solvents, for example a mixture of xylenes. 
The esterification or the polyesterification (condensation) reaction is 
usually carried out at a temperature ranging from about 0 to about 200.C, 
preferably from about 10 to about 180.C and, for example, from about 20 to 
about 150.C. It is generally performed under a normal pressure or under 
the pressure generated by the constituents of the mixture, but it is 
possible to operate under a pressure that is higher or, on the contrary, 
under a pressure that is lower than the atmospheric pressure. 
The condensation between the acid anhydride and the epoxide is generally 
carried out by using such amounts of each one of these two compounds that 
the molar ratio epoxide/acid anhydride ranges from about 0.1:1 to about 
2:1, preferably from about 0.3:1 to about 1.3:1 and for example, from 
about 0.9:1 to about 1.1:1. 
The reaction duration usually ranges from about 30 minutes to about 24 
hours and, for example, from about 1 to about 12 hours. This duration is 
preferably that which corresponds, within the chosen conditions, to a 
practically total disappearance of one of the reagents (epoxide or 
anhydride) utilized in the reaction. 
The catalytic composition comprising titanium and phosphorus is usually 
added to the mixture of epoxide and anhydride in the diluted form 
(solution or dispersion) in a solvent that is preferably the same as that 
which is utilized for the reaction. It is also possible to add to the 
solution or dispersion of the catalytic composition in a liquid, which is 
preferably the solvent selected for performing the reaction, the epoxide 
and the anhydride to be reacted. 
The amount of catalytic composition utilized, expressed in gram-atom of 
titanium per 100 moles of epoxide, usually ranges from about 0.05 to about 
5% and preferably from about 0.1 to about 2%. 
The polyester from the reaction, according to the invention, of an epoxide 
on a dicarboxylic acid anhydride is a compound which usually shows an 
average molecular mass of about 400 to about 50,000 and whose units from 
the epoxide and the anhydride are regularly alternate. Besides, the use of 
the catalytic composition of the present invention allows to reduce very 
strongly the homopolymerization of the epoxide in relation to what is 
obtained by using a tetraalkyl titanate such as, for example, tetrabutyl 
titanate, while maintaining a high reaction velocity, which also allows 
obtaining, in isoconditions, a relatively high conversion of the original 
product, as shown in the following examples. 
These examples illustrate the invention without limiting the scope thereof. 
Examples 1 to 4 and 12 are given as a comparison. 
EXAMPLE 1 
(14.7 g R.sup.1) 0.15 mole of maleic anhydride, (42.9 g) 0.15 mole of 
1,2-epoxy hexadecane the oxirane index of which is 5.6%, 14.6 ml of xylene 
and 1.4 ml of a solution in the xylene of 50% by weight of tetrabutyl 
titanate of formula Ti(OC.sub.4 H.sub.9).sub.4 (2.25.times.10.sup.-3 mole) 
serving as a titanium-based catalyst are introduced into a 100 ml-reactor 
fitted with a stirring system and a temperature regulation system. 
The mixture obtained in the reactor is brought to 60.degree. C. and 
maintained, under constant stirring, at this temperature for 8 hours. The 
reaction is followed by infrared (IR) spectrometry and by Gel Permeation 
Chromatography (G.P.C.). In infrared spectrometry, an ester band appears 
at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the intensity of the carbonyl bands of the maleic 
anhydride decreases at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 1,840 cm.sup.-1 FIG. 1 shows 
the conversion percentage of each constituent according to the time in 
hours (measurings by G.P.C.). Curve A relates to the maleic anhydride and 
curve B to the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane. After 8 hours of reaction at 
60.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide is 74% and that of the maleic 
anhydride is 68%. At this temperature, it can be noticed that the reaction 
is very slow. 
EXAMPLE 2 
This example is performed under the same conditions as in example 1, but 
the temperature is set at 80.degree. C. FIG. 2 shows the conversion 
percentage of each constituent according to the time in hours (measurings 
by G.P.C.). Curve A relates to the maleic anhydride and curve B to the 
1,2-epoxy hexadecane. After 6 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C, the 
conversion of the epoxide is 100% and that of the maleic anhydride is 74%. 
At this temperature, it can be noticed that the reaction is rather rapid, 
but the homopolymerization of the epoxide is rather high and largely 
exceeds 20% after 6 hours of reaction. Besides, FIG. 2 shows that the 
conversion of the epoxide is markedly quicker than that of the anhydride 
from the beginning of the reaction. The obtained polymer is not a 
perfectly alternating polymer. 
EXAMPLE 3 
This example is performed under the same conditions as in example 1, but 
while using as a catalyst 1.305 g (2.25.times.10.sup.-3 mole) of ammonium 
phosphate of formula (HPO.sub.4).sup.2-,2(NR.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 
R.sup.11).sup.+ in which the R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 groups 
represent each a n-butyl group. This phosphate is obtained after 1 hour of 
reaction, in a methanolic medium, at room temperature, of one mole of 
phosphoric acid with two moles of ammonium tetrabutyl hydroxyde, followed 
by a total evaporation of the solvent. After 6 hours of reaction at 
60.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide is 20% and that of the maleic 
anhydride is 4%. No significant formation of polymer can be noticed. 
EXAMPLE 4 
This example is performed under the same conditions as in example 1, but by 
using as a catalyst 1.52 g (2.25.times.10.sup.-3 mole) of an ammonium 
phosphate of formula (R.sup.7 PO.sup.3).sup.2-,2(NR.sup.8 R.sup.9 R.sup.10 
R.sup.11)+in which the R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, R.sup.11 groups 
represent each a n-butyl group and R.sup.7 represents a dodecyl group. 
This salt is obtained in the same way as in example 3, but by replacing 
the phosphoric acid with dodecylphosphonic acid (marketed by the HOECHST 
Company under the name HOSTAPHAT OPS). After 6 hours of reaction at 
60.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide is 21% and that of the maleic 
anhydride is 50%. The reaction, very incomplete, does not lead to a 
polymer. 
EXAMPLE 5 
(14.7 g) 0.15 mole of maleic anhydride, (42.9 g) 0.15 mole of 1,2-epoxy 
hexadecane the oxirane index of which is 5.6%, 14.6 ml of xylene and 
2.25.times.10.sup.-3 mole of a catalytic composition resulting from the 
equimolar mixing of the ammonium phosphate utilized in example 3 and 
tetrabutyl titanate are introduced into a 100 ml-reactor fitted with a 
stirring system and a temperature regulation system. This catalytic 
composition is prepared immediately before use by simply mixing together 
its constituents in 2 ml of xylene. 
After 3 hours of reaction at 60.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide 
is 100% and that of the maleic anhydride is 95%. FIG. 3 shows the 
conversion percentage of each constituent according to the time in hours 
(measuring by G.P.C.). Curve A relates to the maleic anhydride and curve B 
to the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane. The polyester obtained has an average 
molecular mass, in relation to a calibration on polystyrene, of 3,450 and 
a polydispersity of 1.27. FIG. 3 shows that the conversions of the epoxide 
and the anhydride are, particularly during the first hours of the 
reaction, substantially equal at any time, which allows inferring the 
formation of a perfectly alternating polymer. The homopolymerization of 
the epoxide is low it does not exceed 5% after the 3 hour-reaction. 
EXAMPLE 6 
Example 5 is repeated but 1.12.times.10.sup.-3 mole of the catalytic 
composition described in example 5 are used. After 6 hours of reaction at 
60.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide is 100% and that of the 
maleic anhydride is 96%. FIG. 4 shows the conversion percentage of each 
constituent according to the time in hours (measurings by G.P.C.). Curve A 
relates to the maleic anhydride and curve B to the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane. 
Under these conditions, it can be seen that the reaction is fast and that 
the homopolymerization does not reach 5% after the 6 hour-reaction. The 
polyester obtained is a perfectly alternating polymer. 
EXAMPLE 7 
Example 5 is repeated but the maleic anhydride is replaced with phthalic 
anhydride and 20 ml of solvent are added to obtain a homogeneous mixture 
at the reaction temperature. After 6 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., 
the conversion of the epoxide is 100% and that of the phthali anhydride is 
98%. FIG. 5 shows the conversion percentage of each constituent according 
to the time in hours (measurings by G.P.C.). Curve A relates to the 
phthalic anhydride and curve B to the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane. The polyester 
obtained has an average molecular mass, in relation to a calibration on 
polystyrene, of 2,335 and a polydispersity of 1.31. 
EXAMPLE 8 
Example 5 is repeated but the maleic anhydride is replaced with acetic 
anhydride. After 10 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the conversion of 
each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. In infrared 
spectrometry, an ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the carbonyl 
bands of the maleic anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 1,840 
cm.sup.-1. The infrared spectrum of the product obtained is in accordance 
with the expected ester spectrum. 
EXAMPLE 9 
Example 5 is repeated but the maleic anhydride is replaced with benzoic 
anhydride. After 10 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the conversion of 
each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. In infrared 
spectrometry, an ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the carbonyl 
bands of the maleic anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 1,840 
cm.sup.-1. The infrared spectrum of the obtained product is in accordance 
with the expected ester spectrum. 
EXAMPLE 10 
Example 5 is repeated but the maleic anhydride is replaced with lauric 
anhydride. After 10 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the conversion of 
each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. In infrared 
spectrometry, an ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the carbonyl 
bands of the maleic anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 1,840 
cm.sup.-1. The infrared spectrum of the obtained product is in accordance 
with the expected ester spectrum. 
EXAMPLE 11 
Example 5 is repeated but the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane is replaced with 
1,2-epoxy butane. After 6 hours of reaction at 30.degree. C., the 
conversion of each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. In 
infrared spectrometry, an ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the 
carbonyl bands of the maleic anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 
1,840 cm.sup.-1. The N.M.R. spectrum (FIG. 6) of the obtained polyester 
shows: 
a peak centered at 6.25 ppm representing the two protons carried by the 
double maleate bond; 
a peak centered at 5.1 ppm representing the methyne proton from the 
epoxide; 
a peak centered at 4.25 ppm representing the two methylene protons from the 
epoxide. 
No peak corresponding to ether protons stemming from the homopolymerization 
of the epoxide can be seen. The obtained polyester is perfectly 
alternating. 
EXAMPLE 12 
Example 1 is repeated but the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane is replaced with 
1,2-epoxy butane. After 6 hours of reaction at 30.degree. C., the 
conversion of the epoxide is substantially equal to 100%. That of the 
maleic anhydride is only 70%. In infrared spectrometry, an ester band 
appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the carbonyl bands of the maleic anhydride 
partly disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and 1,840 cm.sup.-1 The N.M.R. 
spectrum (FIG. 7) of the obtained polyester shows: 
a peak centered at 6.25 ppm representing the two protons carried by the 
double maleate bond 
a peak centered at 5.1 ppm representing the methyne proton from the 
epoxide; 
a peak centered at 4.25 ppm representing the two methylene protons from the 
epoxide. 
In addition, two peaks respectively centered at 4.95 and 3.55 ppm 
corresponding to oligo-ether sequences in the polyester can also be seen. 
EXAMPLE 13 
Example 5 is repeated but the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane is replaced with the 
2-ethyl hexylic ester of 9,10-epoxy octadecanoic acid and 
4.5.times.10.sup.-3 moles of the catalytic composition described in 
example 5 are used. After 10 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the 
conversion of each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. In 
infrared spectrometry, an ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the 
carbonyl bands of the maleic anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and at 
1,840 cm.sup.-1. 
EXAMPLE 14 
Example 5 is repeated but the 1,2-epoxy hexadecane is replaced with 
1,2-epoxy cyclododecene and 4.5--10.sup.-3 moles of the catalytic 
composition described in example 5 are used. In infrared spectrometry, an 
ester band appears at 1,730 cm.sup.-1 and the carbonyl bands of the maleic 
anhydride disappear at 1,770 cm.sup.-1 and at 1,840 cm.sup.-1. After 6 
hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the conversion of the epoxide is 100% 
and that of the maleic anhydride is 97%. FIG. 8 shows the conversion 
percentage of each constituent according to the time in hours (G.P.C. 
measuring). Curve A relates to the maleic anhydride and curve B to the 
1,2-epoxy cyclododecene. The obtained polyester has an average molecular 
mass, in relation to a calibration on polystyrene, of 2,565 and a 
polydispersity of 1.1. 
EXAMPLE 15 
Example 13 is repeated but the maleic anhydride is replaced with acetic 
anhydride. After 19 hours of reaction at 80.degree. C., the conversion of 
each one of the reagents is substantially equal to 100%. The obtained 
infrared spectrum is in accordance with the expected acetate spectrum.