Abstract
The present paper discusses the synthesis of linear unsaturated polyesters by the polycondensation reaction of maleic anhydride with different glycols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,4-butane diol, 1,6-hexane diol and neopenthyl glycol) with acidities less than 5 mg KOH/g of sample, and the possibility to decrease the cross-linking process during reaction. The polyester-diols with relatively high molecular weight (~2000) were characterized by IR, 1H-NMR, end - groups analysis, as well as by the double bond content determination. These unsaturated polyesters may be used alone or in combination with other diols or diamines in synthesis of segmented polyurethanes. The presence of the unsaturated polyester as soft segment in the polyurethane chain might result in potential applications in several domains such as synthesis of different block copolymers, thermosetting resins, plasticizers, biodegradable and controlled release systems, etc. The polyurethanes were characterized by infrared (IR) and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, stress-strain measurements and other technique.