Kinetic studies on Lewis acidic metal polyesterification catalysts - hydrolytic degradation is a key factor for catalytic performance

Kinetic analysis of polyesterification reactions using Lewis-acidic metal catalysts have been performed. While Sn-based catalysts are superior to Ti-based catalysts under neat polycondensation conditions (high [H(2)O]), the result is inverted under azeotropic conditions (low [H(2)O]). These findings show that the catalytic activity is crucially determined by the robustness of the catalyst against hydrolytic degradation.