Copolyesters of glycols and bisphenols: Concurrent reactions of a new preparative process

A mechanism for the preparation of copolyesters from a preformed polyester, diacid, and bisphenol diacetate in the melt phase is described. Utilizing copoly(ethylene:4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenylene 50:50 2‐methylisophthalate) as a model system, the reaction is shown to proceed through simultaneous cleavage of the preformed polyester by diacid, polymerization by condensation of carboxyl and bisphenol acetate groups, and equilibration through polyester cleavage by carboxyl polymer ends. In this model system, the rates of cleavage and polymerization are competitive, which results in a random sequence distribution early in the reaction.