Bio-Based Terephthalate Polyesters

A compound comprising bio-based terephthalic acid of Formula I:

• wherein the bio-based terephthalic acid has a mean bio-based content of at least 5%;
• and
• wherein the bio-based terephthalic acid of Formula I is prepared by a process comprising:
• (a) providing a biomass;
• (b) converting the biomass to terephthalic acid, the biomass being converted to terephthalic acid substantially in the absence of chromium oxide,
• wherein the biomass is a biological material which excludes organic material that has been transformed by geological processes into a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum, petrochemicals, and combinations thereof.

A compound comprising bio-based dimethyl terephthalate of Formula II:

• wherein the bio-based dimethyl terephthalate has a mean bio-based content of at least 5%;
• and
• wherein the bio-based dimethyl terephthalate of Formula II is prepared by a process comprising:
• (a) providing a biomass;
• (b) converting the biomass to bio-based terephthalic acid of Formula I:
• the biomass being converted to the terephthalic acid of Formula I substantially in the absence of chromium oxide;
• and
• (c) converting the bio-based terephthalic acid to the bio-based dimethyl terephthalate of Formula II,
• wherein the biomass is a biological material which excludes organic material that has been transformed by geological processes into a member selected from the group consisting of petroleum, petrochemicals, and combinations thereof.