NOVEL POLYHYDROXYALKANOATE HAVING AMIDE, SULFONIC ACID OR SULFONATE ESTER GROUP, CHARGE CONTROL AGENT AND TONER

摘要

The invention provides a novel polyester adapted for use in a charge control agent for a toner for an electrophotographic process, having a charge stability, a high charge amount, an improved dispersibility and a biodegradability, and a producing method and an application technology therefor. According to the invention, there is provided polyhydroxyalkanoate comprising at least one unit represented by the following chemical formula in a molecule: -(O-CH(-(CH2)m-CH2-p-C6H4-CONH-A1SO2R1)CH2CO)-(wherein R1 represents OH, a halogen atom, ONa, OK or OR1a; A1 and R1a each represents a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon structure, a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic cyclic structure or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic structure; m represents an integer selected from a range of 0 to 7; and R1, A1, R1a and m have the aforementioned meanings independently for each unit when plural units are present), a charge control agent containing such polyhydroxyalkanoate, a toner utilizing such charge control agent, and an image forming method and an image forming apparatus utilizing such toner.