| abstract |
(57) [Summary]nDisclosed is a method for producing a purified anhydrous sugar alcohol, wherein the resulting purified anhydrous sugar alcohol is at least 99.8% pure and substantially colorless. The anhydrous sugar alcohol is purified by distillation, recrystallization from methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol, melt recrystallization, or a combination thereof. Purification is preferably by distillation followed by recrystallization from methanol, ethanol or ethylene glycol. Disclosed is a method for testing an anhydrous sugar alcohol after annealing at a temperature of at least 260 ° C. for at least 4 hours for determining the purity of the anhydrous sugar alcohol. The purity can also be determined by measuring the ultraviolet (UV) transmittance of the purified anhydrous sugar alcohol at various wavelengths. Purified anhydrous sugar alcohols can be incorporated into polymers such as polyesters, which can be used to form products such as containers, optical disks, fibers, sheets and films. |