Biodegradability of poly(butylene n-alkylenedionate)s composed of long-methylene chains as alternative polymers to polyethylene

Poly(butylene n-alkylenedionate)s (PBADs), which are polymers that potentially biodegradable in various environments, exhibit excellent thermal and mechanical properties similar to those of polyethylene because their long alkyl chains. However, although it has not yet been experimentally verified, is known differences the chain length affect biodegradability PBADs. In this study, we synthesized PBADs with alkylene diacid units, number methylene chains ranging from 11 14. We subsequently investigated relationship between via clear-zone formation BOD-biodegradation testing physical properties, including structural characteristics, using instrumental analysis. Although monomers 1,4-butanediol (BD) ?,?-dicarboxylic acids (DCA) exhibited good biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)-biodegradability, did not, indicating 11–14 do readily degrade natural environments.