POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES HAVING IN ITS SIDE CHAIN PHENYLSULFINYL STRUCTURE AND/OR PHENYL SULFONYL STRUCTURE AND PRODUCTION PROCESS THEREFOR; CHARGE CONTROL AGENT, TONER BINDER AND TONER CONTAINING SAME; AND IMAGE FORMING METHOD AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE TONER

摘要

The present invention provides a novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) containing a 3-hydroxyalkanoic unit which has at its side chain terminal a substituted phenylsulfinyl group and/or a substituted phenylsulfonyl group, and a production process thereof. The novel PHA can be produced by oxidizing with a peroxide a biosynthetic PHA containing a 3-hydroxyalkanoic unit which has at its side chain terminal a substituted phenylsufanyl group. The novel PHA has a superior function as a charge control agent, besides is biodegradable, hence is contributable to environmental conservation.