Process for producing polyesters of multiple molecular weights

In one aspect, a method of reducing the molecular weight of a polyester includes extruding a composition comprising a chain scission agent and a polyester in a molten state to form a modified polyester. The chain scission agent may comprise a C2-12 diol and may be present in an amount of 0.1 to 5 wt% based on the total weight of the composition. The polyester may include a C2-12 alkyl phthalate polyester having a weight average molecular weight Mwi of from 15,000 to 100,000 g/mol based on a polystyrene standard. The modified polyester may have a weight average molecular weight Mwf that is at least 5% lower than the weight average molecular weight of the polyester. 在一个方面中，降低聚酯的分子量的方法包括挤出包含断链剂和处于熔融态的聚酯的组合物以形成改性聚酯。断链剂可以包含C2-12二醇，并且可以以基于组合物的总重量的0.1至5重量％的量存在。聚酯可以包含基于聚苯乙烯标准品的重均分子量Mwi为15,000至100,000g/mol的邻苯二甲酸C2-12烷基酯聚酯。改性聚酯的可具有比聚酯的重均分子量低至少5％的重均分子量Mwf。