Polyesters that dissolve only in water can be useful in many applications such as the synthesis of temperature and pH-responsive materials, water and soil remediation, and bioerodable hydrogels. Polyesters produced from glycerol and diacids (such as glutaric, adipic, and citric acids) are common synthetic targets. However, such polyesters are very soluble in polar organic solvents but have limited solubility in water. In this study, we describe the synthesis and characterization of linear, branched and cyclic water-soluble polyesters produced from glycerol and iminodiacetic acid. Products were identified by various characterization methods such as MALDI TOF Mass Spectroscopy, NMR, GC and HPLC. Yields and substitution patterns along the glycerol backbone were influenced by a combination of changes to the solvent system, molar ratio or reactants and catalyst type. 

Synthesis of iminodiacetic acid-glycerol polyesters

247th National Meeting (2014)

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