Process for forming esters (II)

A process for preparing an ester or polyester corresponding to the formula:

• ##STR6## wherein m and n are one or two;
• R is an aromatic or aliphatic moiety of up to 20 carbons having valence n selected from the group consisting of carbocyclic or nitrogen-, sulfur- or oxygen-containing heterocyclic aromatic groups, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylene or cycloalkylene groups and derivatives thereof containing noninterfering substituents;
• R.sub.1 ' is R.sub.1 or a group of up to about 20 carbons having valence m selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl, substituted primary alkyl, primary alkylene, substituted primary alkylene and substituted aryl wherein the ring substituent or substituents are electron-withdrawing groups located in the ortho- or para-position;
• and
• R.sub.1 is a moiety of up to about 6 carbons having valence m selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl, primary alkylene, cycloalkyl, and primary alkenyl,
• provided that in at least one occurrence R.sub.1 ' is not R.sub.1,
• comprising contacting a carboxylic acid of the formula R--(COOH).sub.n wherein R and n are as previously defined with an organic ester of trichloroacetic acid corresponding to the formula ##STR7## wherein R.sub.1 and m are as previously defined in the presence of a catalytic amount of an initiator at a temperature from about 100.degree. C. to about 180.degree. C. in the presence of an electrophilic halide esterifying agent of up to about 20 carbons selected from the group consisting of primary alkyl halides, substituted primary alkyl halides, primary alkylene dihalides, substituted primary alkylene dihalides and ring-substituted aromatic halides wherein the ring substituent or substituents are strongly electron-withdrawing groups located in the ortho- or para-position and subsequently recovering the ester or polyester formed.