Process for producing polyester by ring-opening copolymerization

摘要

This invention provides a process for producing with industrially good efficiency a polyester having a high melting point and biodegradability. In this process, ring-opening copolymerization of a cyclic acid anhydride containing succinic anhydride as a main component with a cyclic ether containing ethylene oxide as a main component is carried out in the presence of a catalyst by introducing successively the cyclic ether into a reaction vessel containing the cyclic acid anhydride in a melting state or solution state. The rate per hour of introducing the cyclic ether is within the range of 3 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the cyclic acid anhydride, and the reaction vessel has an inside pressure within the range of atmospheric pressure to 50 kgf/cm2 as a gauge pressure.