Aliphatic polyester copolymer and process for producing the same, biodegradable resin molding based on aliphatic polyester, and lactone-containing resin

• US 20040068059A1
• Filed: 11/03/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Original Assignee: Daicel Chemical Industries Limited
• Inventors: Teranishi, Tadashi, Katayama, Hiroshi, Nishimura, Kenji, Nakata, Koji, Iiyama, Takashi, Omae, Hitomi, Sumimoto, Satoru, Okano, Yoshimichi, Murakami, Tadashi, Ito, Masaaki, Shimizu, Kunio
• Application Number:
  US10/433,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20040068059A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 525/466
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 18/4277 Caprolactone and/or substituted caprolactone
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2230/00 Compositions for preparing biodegradable polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 2310/00 Agricultural use or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/08 Lactones or lactides
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/60 derived from the reaction of a mixture of hydroxy carboxylic acids, polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C08G 63/91 Polymers modified by chemical after-treatment
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/18 Polyesters or polycarbonates according to C08L67/00 - C08L69/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 75/06 from polyesters

Abstract

A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer, a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer containing polylactic acid; process for industrially producing these copolymers; composition of these copolymers; and various uses thereof. These copolymers have practical properties which make the copolymers moldable. They are free from the problem of plasticizer bleeding and can be degraded by microorganisms present in soils or water. They give moldings, such as sheets and films, which combine a sufficient strength with tear resistance. When the copolymers are ones having a branched structure, they give a molding having excellent mechanical properties. The moldings obtained from compositions containing either of these copolymers are excellent in elongation and biodegradability and have a satisfactory balanc therebetween. In particular, blending with one or more other biodegradable resins gives a molding having better moldability.

Claims

1. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 40,000 or more, comprising a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more whose molecular chain is made of a repeating unit (P) represented by the general formula (1):

—

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (q) represented by the general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), and a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7);

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² are each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, R⁷ is a single bond, an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure), the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) being coupled to each other with the coupler (E) in an amount of 0.1 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the copolymer (D).

2. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the general formula (1) contains a succinic acid residue and/or an adipic acid residue.

3. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the general formula (1) contains an ethylene glycol residue and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue.

4. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the general formula (2) contains an ε

-oxycaproic acid residue.

5. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 1, characterized in that the reactive group in the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group, an oxazolidine group;

an oxazolone group or an oxazinone group;

an aziridine group;

or a mixture of these.

6. A film molding obtained by molding a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claim 1 to 5.

84. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition comprising a blend of a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 1 to 5, 16 to 22, 35 to 42, 50 to 57, 65 to 69, and 74 to 80 and another aliphatic polyester resin.

90. A biodegradable resin composition according to any one of claims 84 to 89, characterized in that the another biodegradable resin is an aliphatic polyester, a cellulose acetate or a starch.

91. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 90, wherein the aliphatic polyester is one that has a structure obtained by polymerization of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic diol;

one that has a structure obtained from polymerization of a hydroxycarboxylic acid;

one that has a structure obtained by polymerization of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic diol and a hydroxycarboxylic acid;

or a mixture of two or more thereof.

92. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 91, wherein the aliphatic polyester is a poly(butylene-succinate) or a poly(butylene-succinate/adipate);

a poly(ε

-caprolactone) or a polylactic acid;

a poly (butylene-succinate-ε

-caprolactone);

or a mixture of two or more thereof.

93. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 91 or 92, wherein the aliphatic polyester is one coupled with the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7).

94. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 84 or 85, wherein weight compositional ratio of the aliphatic polyester copolymer to the polylactic acid is 99.9/0.1 to 70/30.

95. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 90, wherein the cellulose acetate is a cellulose acetate resin blended with a plasticizer.

96. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 95, wherein the cellulose acetate has an acetylation degree within the range of 48.8 to 62.5.

97. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 95, wherein the plasticizer is a polycaprolactone, tris(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl citrate, tris(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl acetyl citrate or a mixture thereof.

98. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 95, wherein the weight compositional ratio of the aliphatic polyester copolymer to the cellulose acetate resin in which the plasticizer is blended is 90/10 to 10/90.

99. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 95 or 98, wherein the plasticizer has a blending amount of 15 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the cellulose acetate.

100. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 90, wherein the starch is any one of a granular starch, a plasticized starch that has been plasticized with water and/or a plasticizer, or a blend of the granular starch and the plasticized starch that has been plasticized with water and/or a plasticizer.

101. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to claim 100, wherein the weight compositional ratio of the aliphatic polyester copolymer to the starch is 95/5 to 20/80.

102. An aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to any one of claim 84 to 101, further comprising, as the resin additive (d), a plasticizer, a heat stabilizer, a lubricant, a blocking inhibitor, a nucleating agent, a photolytic agent, a biodegradation accelerator, an antioxidant, an ultraviolet stabilizer, an antistatic agent, a flame retardant, a drop-flowing agent, an antimicrobial agent, a deodorant, a filler, a coloring agent or a mixture thereof, which is added thereto.

103. A molding molded from the aliphatic polyester blend resin composition according to any one of claims 84 to 102.

104. A molding according to claim 103, wherein the molding is any one selected from the group consisting of a film-like molding, a foamed body, a cushioning sheet having closed cells, a thick-wall vessel, a thin-wall vessel, a breeding pot, a plant protector, a card, a nonwoven fabric, a water drip net, a garbage bag, wall paper (decorative paper), drain material, a laminate, a throwaway glove, a pole, a coating material and granular agricultural and horticultural coating material.

105. A biodegradable resin molding according to claim 103, wherein the molding is molded by inflation molding, extrusion molding, T-die molding, injection molding, blow molding, calender molding, compression molding, transfer molding, thermal molding, flow molding, or lamination molding.

106. A biodegradable resin molding according to claim 104, wherein the film-like molding is molded into a non-stretched film, a monoaxially stretched film or a biaxially stretched film.

107. A molding according to claim 104 or 106, wherein the film-like molding is an agricultural mulching film, a shrink film, or a laminate film.

7. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer, comprising the steps of

(a) condensation-polymerizing three components of (A) an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by general formula (3):

R⁴—

OCO—

R¹—

COO—

R⁵ 

 

(3)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁵ represent each a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group), anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(B) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4);

HO—

R²—

OH 

 

(4)

(wherein R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

(C) a hydroxycarboxylic acid or an ester form thereof represented by general formula (5);

R⁶OCO—

R³—

OH 

 

(5)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group), or (C) a lactone represented by general formula (6);

(wherein, R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms) to synthesize a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more having a molecular chain made of a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1);

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), and

(b) adding 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7);

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure) to 100 parts by weight of the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) in a molten state to increase the weight average molecular weight thereof to 40,000 or more.

8. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7, characterized in that in the step (a), a catalyst and a phosphorus compound are used in combination.

9. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that as the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by the general formula (3), the anhydride thereof or the ester form thereof, at least one is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, adipic acid and dimethyl succinate.

10. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that as the aliphatic diol represented by the general formula (4), at least one is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol.

11. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that as the hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by the general formula (5) or the ester form thereof or the lactone (C) represented by the general formula (6), ε

-caprolactone is used.

12. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by formulae (9) to (11):

13. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by general formulae (12) to (15)

14. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 7 to 13, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies expression (i)

1.0≦

[B]/[A]≦

2.0 

 

(i)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the anhydride thereof, or the ester form thereof, and [B] represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol).

15. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies expression (ii)

0.02≦

[C]/([A]+[C])≦

0.40 

 

(ii)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the anhydride thereof, or the ester form thereof used, and [C] represents the mole number of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, the ester form thereof, or lactone used).

16. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 40,000 or more, comprising molecular chain made of a repeating unit (P) represented by the general formula (1):

—

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms),

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (R) represented by the general formula (19);

—

(—

CO—

CR¹¹R¹²—

O—

)—

 

 

(19)

(wherein R¹¹ and R¹² each represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms).

17. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 16, comprising a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (F) having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more, which is an intermediate for polymerization of the copolymer, and a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² are each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group, R⁷ is a single bond, an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure), the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (F) having molecules being coupled to each other with the coupler (E) in an amount of 0.1 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the copolymer (F).

18. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 16, characterized in that the general formula (1) contains a succinic acid residue and/or an adipic acid residue.

19. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 16, characterized in that the general formula (1) contains an ethylene glycol residue and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue.

20. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 16, characterized in that the general formula (2) contains an ε

-oxycaproic acid residue.

21. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 16, characterized in that the general formula (19) contains an lactic acid residue.

22. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 17, characterized in that the reactive group of the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group;

or a mixture of these.

23. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer, comprising condensation-polymerizing four components of (A) an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by general formula (3):

R⁴—

OCO—

R¹—

COO—

R⁵ 

 

(3)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, R⁴ and R⁵ represent each a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group), anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(B) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4);

HO—

R²—

OH 

 

(4)

(wherein R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms),

(C-1) a hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by general formula (5);

R⁶OCO—

R³—

OH 

 

(5)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group), or an ester form thereof, or a lactone thereof forming acyclic monomeric ester thereof, and

(C-2) a hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by general formula (20)

R¹³—

OCO—

CR¹¹R¹²—

OH 

 

(20)

(wherein R¹¹ and R¹² represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R¹³ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group), an ester form thereof or a lactide forming a cyclic dimeric ester, to synthesize a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer having a weight average molecular weight based on Polystyrene of 40,000 or more having a molecular chain made of a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1);

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms),

a repeating unit (Q) represented by general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (R) represented by general formula (19);

—

(—

CO—

CR¹¹R¹²—

O)—

 

 

(19)

(wherein R¹¹ and R¹² represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms).

24. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, further comprising the steps of synthesizing a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (F) having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more, which is an intermediate for polymerization of the copolymer, and adding 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond, an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure) to 100 parts by weight of the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (F) in a molten state to increase the weight average molecular weight thereof to 40,000 or more.

25. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that as the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by the general formula (3), the acid anhydride thereof, or the ester form thereof, at least one is selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, adipic acid and dimethyl succinate.

26. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that as the aliphatic diol represented by the general formula (4), at least one is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol and diethylene glycol.

27. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that the lactone is ε

-caprolactone.

28. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that the lactide is lactic acid, ester thereof, or lactide.

29. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies expression (i)

0.02≦

[C-2]/([A]+[C-1]+[C-2])≦

0.70 

 

(i)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the component (A) used, [C-1] represents the mole number of the component (C-1) used, and [C-2] represents the mole number of the component (C-2) used).

30. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies expression (ii)

0.02<

[C-1]/([A]+[C-1]+[C-2])≦

0.40 

 

(ii)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the component (A) used, [C-1] represents the mole number of the component (C-1) used, and [C-2] represents the mole number of the component (C-2) used).

31. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that the polymerization step is performed at a temperature of 200 to 250°

C. and at a pressure of atmospheric pressure to 0.2 mmHg (26.6 Pa).

32. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies expression (iii)

1.0≦

[B]/[A]≦

2.0 

 

(iii)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the component (A) used, and [B] represents the mole number of the component (B) used).

33. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that an organotitanium compound and an organic or inorganic phosphorus compound are used as a catalyst.

34. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 23, characterized in that the organotitanium compound is used in an amount of 0.005 to 0.1% by weight based on succinic acid or a derivative thereof and the organic or inorganic phosphorus compound is used in an amount of 1 to 30% by weight based on the organotitanium compound.

35. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer characterized in that the molecular chain thereof is made of a repeating unit (P) represented by the general formula (1):

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO13 R²—

O—

) 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

) 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), wherein at least one of the divalent aliphatic groups represented by R¹, R² and R³ contains a branched divalent aliphatic group in an amount of 0.01 to 50 mol % based on 100 mol % of the sum of the divalent aliphatic groups represented by R¹, R² and R³.

36. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 35, further comprising a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more), which is a polymerization intermediate of the copolymer, and a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different), the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer being coupled to each other with the coupler (E) in an amount of 0.1 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the copolymer.

37. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that the weight average molecular weight is 40,000 to 700,000.

38. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that R¹ is a succinic acid residue [(CH₂)₂] and/or an adipic acid residue [(CH₂)₄].

39. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that R² is an ethylene glycol residue [(CH₂)₂] and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue [(CH₂)₄].

40. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 35 to 39, characterized in that R³ is an ε

-oxycaproic acid residue.

41. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to anyone of claims 35 to 39, wherein the branched divalent aliphatic group is (i) a succinic acid residue, a glutaric acid residue, an adipic acid residue, a pimellic acid residue, a suberic acid residue, an azelaic acid residue, or a sebacic acid residue;

(ii) an ethylene glycol residue, a 1,3-propanediol residue or a 1,3- or 1,4-butanediol residue;

or (iii) a glycolic acid residue, a hydroxypropionic acid residue, a hydroxybutyric acid residue, a hydroxyvaleric acid residue, or a hydroxycaproic acid residue, the one or more branched divalent aliphatic groups being substituted by an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxyl group.

42. A high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 36, characterized in that the reactive group of the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group;

an oxazolidine group;

an oxazolone group or an oxazinone group;

an aziridine group;

or a mixture of these.

43. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer, characterized by comprising condensation-polymerizing (A) an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by general formula (3):

R⁴—

OCO—

R¹—

COO—

R⁵ 

 

(3)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and R⁴ and R⁵ represent each a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that R⁴ and R⁵ maybe the same or different), an acid anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(B) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4);

HO—

R²—

OH 

 

(4)

(wherein R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

(C) a hydroxycarboxylic acid or an ester form thereof represented by general formula (5);

R⁶OCO—

R³—

OH 

 

(5)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group), or

(C) a lactone represented by general formula (6);

(wherein, R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms),

the copolymer having a molecular chain made of a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1);

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

) 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

) 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), in which at least one of the divalent aliphatic groups represented by R¹, R² and R³ contains a branched divalent aliphatic group in an amount of 0.01 to 50 mol % based on 100 mol % of the sum of the divalent aliphatic groups represented by R¹, R² and R³.

44. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 43, comprising the steps of synthesizing a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more), which is an intermediate for polymerization of the copolymer, and adding 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different) to 100 parts by weight of the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer in a molten state to increase the weight average molecular weight thereof to 40,000 or more.

45. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 44, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by formulae (9) to (11):

46. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 44, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by formulae (12) to (15):

47. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 43 to 46, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies the following expression

1.0<

[B]/[A]≦

2.0 

 

(8)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the acid anhydride thereof, or the ester form thereof, and [B] represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol).

48. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 43 to 47, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies the following expression

0.02≦

[C]/([A]+[C])≦

0.40 

 

(16)

(wherein [A] represents the mole number of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the acid anhydride thereof, or the ester form thereof used, and [C] represents the mole number of the hydroxycarboxylic acid, the ester form thereof, or lactone used).

49. A method of producing a high molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer according to any one of claims 43 to 48, characterized in that the content of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and the aliphatic carboxylic acid contained in the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid diester (A) as an impurity is retained so as to be 0.1 mol % or less based on the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid diester.

52. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 48 or 51, characterized in that the weight average molecular weight thereof is 30,000 or more.

50. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer wherein the molecular chain thereof is made of a repeating unit (P) represented by the general formula (1):

(—

CO—

R—

COO—

R²—

O—

)_p 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and p represents the molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain),

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)_q 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and q represents the molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain), and a repeating unit (R) represented by the general formula (1′

);

(—

CO—

R⁴—

COOR⁵—

O)_r 

 

(1′

)

(wherein R⁴ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R⁵ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms containing at least one ether bond or an alicyclic skeleton in the main chain thereof, and “

r”

represents a molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain), wherein the sum of “

p”

, “

q” and

“

r”

is 1, the value of “

q”

is in the range of 0.02 to 0.30, and the value of “

r”

is in the range of 0.001 to 0.40.

51. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 50, further comprising a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more), which is a polymerization intermediate of the copolymer, and a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁶—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁶ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different), the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer being coupled to each other with the coupler (E) in an amount of 0.1 to 5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the copolymer.

53. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that R¹ and R⁴ are a succinic acid residue [(CH₂)₂] and/or an adipic acid residue [(CH₂)₄] (R¹ and R⁴ may be the same or different).

54. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that R² is an ethylene glycol residue [(CH₂)₂] and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue [(CH₂)₄].

55. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that R³ is an ε

-oxycaproic acid residue.

56. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 50 or 51, characterized in that R⁵ is a diethylene glycol residue and/or a cyclohexane dimethanol residue.

57. A biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 51, characterized in that the reactive group of the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group;

an oxazoline group;

an oxazolone group or an oxazinone group;

an aziridine group;

or a mixture of these.

58. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer, whose molecular chain is made of a repeating unit (P) represented by the general formula (1):

(—

CO—

R—

COO—

R²—

O—

)_p 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and “

p”

represents the molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain),

a repeating unit (Q) represented by the general formula (2);

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)_q 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and “

q”

represents the molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain), and

a repeating unit (R) represented by the general formula (1′

);

(—

CO—

R⁴—

COO—

R⁵—

O—

)_r 

 

(11)

(wherein R⁴ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R⁵ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms containing at least one ether bond or alicyclic skeleton in the main chain thereof, and “

r”

represents a molar fraction of the unit in the molecular chain), in which the sum of “

p”

, “

q” and

“

r”

is 1, the value of “

q”

is in the range of 0.02 to 0.30, and the value of “

r”

is in the range of 0.001 to 0.40, the method comprising condensation-polymerizing (A) an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, represented by general formula (3);

R⁷—

OCO—

R¹—

COO—

R⁸ 

 

(3)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and R⁷ and R⁸ represent a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that R⁷ and R⁸ may be the same or different), or an acid anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(B) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4);

HO—

R²—

OH 

 

(4)

(wherein R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

(A′

) an aliphatic dicarbonxylic acid represented by general formula (3′

);

R⁹—

OCO—

R⁴—

COO—

R¹⁰ 

 

(3′

)

(wherein R⁴ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and R⁹ and R¹⁰ represent a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that R⁹ and R¹⁰ may be the same or different), or an acid anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(C) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4′

);

HO—

R⁵ OH 

 

(4′

)

(wherein R⁵ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 20 carbon atoms containing at least one ether bond or an alicyclic skeleton in the main chain thereof), and

(D) a hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by general formula (5);

R¹¹OCO—

R³—

OH 

 

(5)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R¹¹ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an aromatic group) or an ester form thereof, or (D) a lactone represented by general formula (6)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms) (provided that (A) and (A′

) may be the same or different).

59. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 58, further comprising the steps of synthesizing a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more), which is an intermediate for polymerization of the copolymer, and adding 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁶—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁶ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² maybe the same or different) to 100 parts by weight the low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer in a molten state to increase the weight average molecular weight thereof to 30,000 or more.

60. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 59, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by formulae (9) to (11):

61. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 59, characterized in that in the coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7), X¹ and X² are one or more groups selected from the group consisting of reactive groups represented by the general formulae (12) to (15):

62. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies the following expressions

1.0≦

[(B)+(C)]/[(A)+(A′

)]≦

1.1 and 0.02≦

[(D)]/[(A)+(A′

)+(D)]≦

0.30

(wherein (A) and (A′

) ((A) and (A′

) may be the same or different) represent the mole numbers of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, acid anhydride thereof or ester form thereof, (B) represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol, (C) represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol containing an ether bond in the main chain, and (D) represents the mole number of the hydroxycarboxylic acid or ester form thereof or lactone used).

63. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that the molar ratio at the time of charging raw materials satisfies the following expressions

1.0≦

[(B)+(C)]/[(A)+(A′

)])≦

2.0 and 0.02≦

[(D)]/[(A)+(A′

)+(D)]≦

0.30

(wherein (A) and (A′

) ((A) and (A′

) may be the same or different) represent the mole numbers of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, acid anhydride thereof or ester form thereof, (B) represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol, (C) represents the mole number of the aliphatic diol containing an ether bond, and (D) represents the mole number of the hydroxycarboxylic acid or ester form thereof or lactone used).

64. A method of producing a biodegradable aliphatic polyester copolymer according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that the content of the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and the aliphatic carboxylic acid contained in the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid diester ((A) and (A′

)) as an impurity is retained so as to be 0.1 mol % or less based on the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid diester.

65. An aliphatic polyester satisfying the relationship expressed by mathematical expressions (i) to (iii) described below in measurement of elongation viscosity at a temperature of 150°

C. and a strain rate in the range of 0.15 to 0.20 sec<sup>−

1;</sup>

α

=Δ

lnλ

_n/Δ

ε

=(lnλ

_n2−

lnλ

_n1)/(ε

₂−

ε

₁)≧

0.15 

 

(i) λ

_n=/λ

/λ

₁ 

 

(ii) ε

=ln(I/I₀) 

 

(iii)

(wherein α

represents a parameter that indicates the degree of strain hardenability, λ

_n represents a nonlinear parameter, λ

represents elongation viscosity in the nonlinear region, λ

₁ represents elongation viscosity in the linear region, ε

represents amount of elongation strain according to Hencky, I₀ and I represent lengths of a sample at elongation times 0 and t, respectively, and suffix numbers, 2 and 1, in λ

_n2, λ

_n1, ε

₂, and ε

₁ indicate values at elongation times t₂ and t₁, respectively).

66. An aliphatic polyester according to claim 65, characterized in that a branching point measured by ¹H-NMR is (0.3 to 50)×

10<sup>−

6</sup> mol/g.

67. An aliphatic polyester according to claim 65 or 66, wherein the weight average molecular weight Mw is (0.4 to 7)×

10⁵.

68. An aliphatic polyester according to claim 65 or 66, wherein a branching point measured by ¹H-NMR is (0.3 to 50)×

10<sup>−

6</sup> mol/g and a weight average molecular weight Mn is (0.4 to

     7)×

10⁵.

69. An aliphatic polyester according to any one of claims 65 to 68, characterized in that one molecular chain is constituted by a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1):

(CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O) 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by general formula (2);

(CO—

R³—

O) 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms).

70. A method of producing an aliphatic polyester having a branched structure whose molecular chain is constituted by a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1):

—

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), the method being characterized by comprising a polymerization reaction of (A) an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid represented by general formula (3);

R⁴ OCO—

R¹COO—

R⁵ 

 

(3)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and R⁴ and R⁵ represent each a hydrogen atom, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or an aromatic group) an acid anhydride thereof or a diester form thereof,

(B) an aliphatic diol represented by general formula (4);

HO—

R²—

OH 

 

(4)

(wherein R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

(C) a hydroxycarboxylic acid represented by general formula (5);

R⁶OCO—

R³—

OH 

 

(5)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and R⁶ represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), or an ester form thereof, or a lactone represented by general formula (6);

(wherein, R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms) (what is represented by the general formula (5) or the general formula (6) is defined as (C)).

71. A method of producing an aliphatic polyester according to claim 70, characterized in that the aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the acid anhydride thereof, or the diester form thereof (A) is at least one selected from the group consisting of succinic acid, adipic acid, dimethyl succinate and dimethyl adipic acid.

72. A method of producing an aliphatic polyester according to claim 70, characterized in that the aliphatic diol (B) is at least one selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, 1,4-butanediol, diethylene glycol and 1,4-cyclohexane dimethanol.

73. A method of producing an aliphatic polyester according to claim 70, characterized in that the lactone (C) is ε

-caprolactone.

74. A lactone-containing resin, characterized in that the resin is (c) a lactone-containing resin comprising:

(a) an aliphatic polyester copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 or more and having a molecular chain constituted by a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1);

—

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) derived from lactone and represented by general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms);

(b) another biodegradable resin optionally added; and

(d) a resin additive optionally added, and that the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) which is one of the constituents of the lactone-containing resin (c) has been subjected to radiation irradiation treatment singly or together with at least one of the other constituents.

75. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 74, characterized in that the lactone of the repeating unit (Q) is at least one selected from the group consisting of ε

-caprolactone, 4-methylcaprolactone, 3,5,5-trimethylcaprolactone, 3,3,5-trimethylcaprolactone, β

-propiolactone, γ

-butyrolactone, δ

-valerolactone, and enantolactone.

76. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 74, characterized in that the repeating unit (P) is a structure that is produced by condensation reaction from an aliphatic carboxylic acid containing a succinic acid residue and/or an adipic acid residue and an aliphatic glycol containing an ethylene glycol residue and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue.

77. A lactone-containing resin according to any one of claims 74 to 76, wherein the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) comprises 100 parts by weight of a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) which is an intermediate of the copolymer (a) coupled with 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure).

78. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 77, wherein the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) coupled with a coupler (E) has a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 or more.

79. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 77 or 78, characterized in that the reactive group of the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group;

an oxazoline group;

an oxazolone group or an oxazinone group;

an aziridine group;

or a mixture thereof.

80. A lactone-containing resin according to any one of claims 74 to 79, wherein the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) in the lactone-containing resin has a gel fraction of 0.01 to 90%.

81. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 74, wherein the other biodegradable resin is a synthetic and/or natural polymer.

82. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 81, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises an aliphatic polyester, a biodegradable cellulose ester, a polypeptide, a polyvinyl alcohol, a polyvinyl acetate or a mixture thereof.

83. A lactone-containing resin according to claim 81, wherein the natural polymer comprises starch, cellulose, paper, pulp, cotton, hemp, wool, silk, hide, carrageenan, chitin/chitosan substance, naturally occurring straight chain polyester resins or mixtures thereof.

85. A biodegradable resin molding molded from an aliphatic polyester biodegradable resin composition comprising an aliphatic polyester copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 40,000 or more and having a molecular chain constituted by a repeating unit (P) represented by general formula (1):

—

(—

CO—

R¹—

COO—

R²—

O—

)—

 

 

(1)

(wherein R¹ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R² represents a divalent aliphatic group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms), and

a repeating unit (Q) represented by general formula (2);

—

(—

CO—

R³—

O—

)—

 

 

(2)

(wherein R³ represents a divalent aliphatic group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), and another biodegradable resin.

86. A biodegradable resin composition according to claim 85, wherein the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) comprises 100 parts by weight of a low molecular weight aliphatic polyester copolymer (D) having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 or more, which is an intermediate for polymerization of the aliphatic polyester copolymer (a) coupled with 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of a bifunctional coupler (E) represented by general formula (7):

X¹—

R⁷—

X² 

 

(7)

(wherein X¹ and X² represent each a reactive group capable of forming a covalent bond by reaction with a hydroxyl group or a carboxyl group and R⁷ represents a single bond, or an aliphatic group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aromatic group, provided that X¹ and X² may be the same or different in chemical structure).

87. A biodegradable resin composition according to claim 85 or 86, characterized in that the general formula (1) is a structure that is produced by condensation reaction from an aliphatic carboxylic acid containing a succinic acid residue and/or an adipic acid residue and an aliphatic glycol containing an ethylene glycol residue and/or a 1,4-butanediol residue.

88. A biodegradable resin composition according to claim 85 or 86, characterized in that the general formula (2) represents at least one residual selected from the group consisting of ε

-caprolactone, 4-methylcaprolactone, 3,5,5-trimethylcaprolactone, 3,3,5-trimethylcaprolactone, β

-propiolactone, γ

-butyrolactone, δ

-valerolactone, and enantolactone.

89. A biodegradable resin composition according to claim 86, characterized in that the reactive group of the bifunctional coupler (E) represented by the general formula (7) is an isocyanate group;

an isothiocyanate group;

an epoxy group;

an oxazoline group;

an oxazolone group or an oxazinone group;

an aziridine group;

or a mixture thereof.