New synthetic functional polyesters

An overview is reported of the work so far performed by us and co‐workers in the preparation of new functional polyesters designed to the fulfilment of structure‐property relationships in novel mesomorphic polymers and in polyhydroxylated polyesters, potentially appealing for their solubility properties, binding capability and reactivity. Polycondensation procedures have been used as based on: 1) Michael‐type addition of a α,ω‐bis hydrogen‐active component (diamines and dithiols) to a component containing two α,ω‐activated double bonds (bisacrylates); 2) reaction of a selectively protected polyol with a diacid chloride; 3) self‐condensation of a selectively protected (polyhydroxy)acid; 4) addition of an epoxide containing protected hydroxyl group to cyclic anhydrides, including also carbon dioxide.