Characterization, stability and ecotoxic properties of readily biodegradable branched oligoesters based on bio-sourced succinic acid and glycerol

Branched oligoesters, based on glycerol and bio-sourced succinic acid, with various controllable sizes and topologies are prepared without solvent nor catalyst and investigated using a modified A(2)+B-3 approach (A(2)+B'B-2). They are characterized by quantitative C-13 NMR (topology and size), acid values (esterification advancement) and size exclusion chromatography (size). Modified mathematical models based on Frey relations are proposed to determine the (DPn) over bar and the average number of dendritic units per molecule (DN) of the synthesized oligoesters and other oligoesters and polyesters. Biodegradability and stability of the oligomers in bulk at various temperatures and in solution at various concentrations, pH and temperatures are reported. This study underlines the relative impacts of pH, concentration, temperature, formulation and topology on the stability of non-ecotoxic readily biodegradable branched oligoesters. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.