POSITIVE TYPE PHOTOSENSITIVE RESIN COMPOSITION, POSITIVE TYPE
PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE PRECURSOR, AND METHOD OF
PRODUCING PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING PLATE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a positive type photosensitive resin composition, a positive type planographic printing plate precursor, and a method of producing a planographic printing plate.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] In recent years, lasers have been remarkably developed, and in particular, solid-state lasers and semiconductor lasers having an emission region in a near infrared region to an infrared region, with a high output and a small size, have become easily available. In the field of planographic printing, as an exposure light source at the time of manufacturing a printing plate directly from digital data from a computer or the like, these lasers are very useful.
[0003] A positive type planographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser has an alkali-soluble binder resin and an infrared absorbent (IR dye) which absorbs light and generates heat, as essential components. In the unexposed portion (image area), this IR dye and the like act as a development restrainer which substantially decreases the solubility of a binder resin in a developer due to an interaction with the binder resin, and in the exposed portion (non-image area), the interaction between the IR dye and the like and the binder resin weakens due to generated heat, the infrared absorbent and the like dissolve in an alkaline developer, and as a result, a planographic printing plate is formed.
As the planographic printing plate in the related art, the planographic printing plates described in JP1990-156241A (JP-H02-156241A) or JP2005-106910A are known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Since the image forming capability of a positive type planographic printing plate precursor for infrared laser as described above depends on the heat generated by infrared laser exposure to the image recording layer surface, in the vicinity of a support, an image is formed by diffusion of heat to the support, that is, the heat quantity to be used for solubilization of the image recording layer is reduced, and thus, sensitivity becomes low. Therefore, there is a

problem in which development restraining ability loss effects of the image recording layer in the non-image area are not sufficiently obtained, the difference between the image area and the non-image area is reduced, and thus, highlight reproducibility is insufficient.
In addition, to solve the above-described problem of the highlight reproducibility, using an image recording layer formed of a material having characteristics in which a non-image area can be more easily developed, that is, the solubility in an alkali aqueous solution is better may be considered, but there is a problem in which such an image recording layer is chemically weakened even in the image area region and easily damaged by an ink washing solvent used in the developer or during printing, or the plate cleaner, that is, is poor in chemical resistance to a plate cleaner or the like used during printing (also simply referred to as “chemical resistance”), and in the unexposed portion region, there is demand for a resin material having characteristics in which the chemical resistance and the durability of the coating film are excellent and the developability thereof becomes excellent after the dissolution suppressing action is removed by exposure.
For the same purpose as described above, various improved techniques have been proposed, and for example, a technique for a planographic printing plate precursor in which an image recording layer containing a polyurethane resin having sulfonamide in the main chain which is insoluble in water and soluble in an alkaline aqueous solution, a photosensitive composition containing a photosensitive compound which acts as a positive type (for example, refer to JP1990-156241A (JP-H02-156241A)) or a water-insoluble and alkali-soluble resin having an active hydrogen in the main chain, on a support, and an infrared absorbent, of which the solubility in an alkaline aqueous solution is increased by exposure is provided has been disclosed (for example, refer to JP2005-106910A). According to these planographic printing plate precursors, it is possible to provide a positive type planographic printing plate precursor having excellent printing durability and excellent chemical resistance.
[0005] However, in recent years, diversifying and varying of print materials (paper, ink, and the like) have progressed, and even in the case of using the same printing plate, there is a problem in which the number of printable sheets (hereinafter, referred to as “printing durability”) is greatly reduced depending on the type of a print material, in the former technique, chemical resistance is excellent, but there is problem in which, in particular, since the film hardness of the resin used in the underlayer is not sufficient, the printing durability in printing using a low quality print material (paper or ink) is greatly reduced and since the development speed (developability) to an alkali aqueous solution is not sufficient, the

difference between the image area and the non-image area is reduced, and thus, highlight reproducibility is not sufficient, and in the latter technique, the printing durability and the highlight reproducibility in printing using a high quality print material (paper or ink) are excellent, but there is problem in which, in particular, since the film hardness of the resin used in the underlayer is not sufficient, the printing durability in printing using a low quality print material (paper or ink) is greatly reduced, and thus, this technique also has room for improvement. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain and improve a plurality of characteristics such as printing durability depending on the film hardness of the underlayer, chemical resistance, the development speed (highlight reproducibility) to an alkali aqueous solution. [0006] An object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a positive type photosensitive resin composition which enables production of a positive type planographic printing plate precursor having a non-image area with an excellent solubility in an alkali aqueous solution and enables production of a planographic printing plate having excellent chemical resistance and printing durability; a positive type planographic printing plate precursor obtained by using the positive type photosensitive resin composition; and a method of producing a planographic printing plate.
[0007] Specific means for solving the above-described problems includes the following aspects.
<1> A positive type photosensitive resin composition, including:
a polyester containing a sulfonamide group in a main chain thereof; and
an infrared absorbent.
<2> The positive type photosensitive resin composition according to <1>, in which the polyester has a constitutional unit represented by the following Formula A-1. [0008]

positive type photosensitive resin composition which enables production of a positive type planographic printing plate precursor having a non-image area with an excellent solubility in an alkali aqueous solution and enables production of a planographic printing plate having excellent chemical resistance and printing durability; a positive type planographic printing plate precursor obtained by using the positive type photosensitive resin composition; and a method of producing a planographic printing plate.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Hereinafter, the content of the present invention will be described in detail. The description of the constitutive elements as described below is based on representative embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to such embodiments. Moreover, in the present specification, “to” is used to show a range in which the numerical values described before and after “to” indicate the upper limit value and the lower limit value.
Regarding the description of a group (atomic group) in the present specification, in a case where the description does not indicate whether a group is substituted or unsubstituted, the description includes both a group having a substituent and a group not having a substituent. For example, "alkyl group" includes not only an alkyl group (an unsubstituted alkyl group) which does not have a substituent, but also an alkyl group (a substituted alkyl group) which has a substituent.
In addition, the chemical structural formulae in the present specification are described using simplified structural formulae in which hydrogen atoms have been omitted, in some cases.
Moreover, in the present specification, "(meth)acrylate" represents acrylate and methacrylate, “(meth)acrylic" represents acrylic and methacrylic, and "(meth)acryloyl" represents acryloyl and methacryloyl.
In addition, in the present specification, "% by mass" has the same meaning as "% by weight" and "part(s) by mass" has the same meaning as "part(s) by weight".
In addition, in the present specification, preferable aspects in a combination are more preferable. [0018] (Positive type photosensitive resin composition)
A positive type photosensitive resin composition according to the present disclosure includes polyester which contains a sulfonamide group in a main chain; and an infrared

absorbent.
In the present disclosure, a “main chain” indicates relatively the longest bonding chain in a molecule of a polymer compound constituting a resin and a “side chain” indicates a carbon chain branched from the main chain.
[0019] As a result of extensive examination conducted by the present inventors, it was found that a positive type photosensitive resin composition that contains an infrared absorbent and polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain has an excellent solubility in an alkali aqueous solution of a non-image area in a positive type planographic printing plate precursor to be obtained and excellent chemical resistance and printing durability of a planographic printing plate to be obtained.
Although the action mechanism of the excellent effects due to containing the above materials is not clear, it is estimated as follows.
As the result of examination conducted by the present inventors, it was found that the film hardness of a resin is important for the printing durability in printing and the film hardness is significantly influenced by an interaction between polymer compounds forming an image recording layer. In particular, in low quality print materials, the effect is significant, and in general acrylic resins or polyurethane resins, sufficient film hardness is less likely to be imparted. It is thought that this is because inorganic salt particles (calcium carbonate, kaolin, or the like) included in a print material (paper, ink, or the like) are eluted during printing, this polishes the image area of the printing plate, and as a result, abrasion is promoted.
The polymer compound used for image formation in the present disclosure is polyester that contains a highly interactive sulfonamide group in the main chain, and the interaction between polymer main chains is extremely high. Accordingly, the printing durability and the chemical resistance are assumed to be excellent. Further, it is assumed that the infiltration rate of a developer into the polymer compound is improved and the developability of an exposed portion becomes excellent in a case where the main chain contains a sulfonamide group.
Hereinafter, the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain, which is an indispensable component of the positive type photosensitive resin composition according to the present disclosure and the infrared absorbent will be described. [0020]
The positive type photosensitive resin composition used in the present disclosure contains polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain.

Further, the expression “containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain” means that the main chain contains a divalent group represented by -SO2-NH-. [0021] [Polycyclic structure]
It is preferable that the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain further has a polycyclic structure in the main chain.
The polycyclic structure indicates a fused cyclic hydrocarbon structure, a fused polycyclic aromatic structure, and a structure formed by a plurality of aromatic hydrocarbons being bonded through a single bond. As the polycyclic structure, a naphthalene derivative structure, an anthracene derivative structure, a biphenyl structure, or a terphenyl structure is preferable. Among the naphthalene derivative structure and the anthracene derivative structure, a xanthone structure, an anthrone structure, a xanthene structure, a dihydroanthracene structure, and an anthracene structure are preferable. From the viewpoints of chemical resistance, printing durability, and developability, a xanthone structure, an anthrone structure, a biphenyl structure, and a naphthalene structure are more preferable, and a xanthone structure and an anthrone structure are still more preferable. [0022] [Molar light absorption coefficient]
In the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain, the molar light absorption coefficient at the maximum absorption wavelength in a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm is preferably 100000 or less, more preferably 50000 or less, and still more preferably 20000 or less.
In a case where the molar absorption wavelength is in the above-described range, clear visible image is likely to be obtained in a case where a print-out agent is used.
The maximum absorption wavelength can be measured with a solution obtained by dissolving the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain in N-methylpyrrolidone using a spectrophotometer. [0023] [Constitutional unit represented by Formula A-1]
It is preferable that the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain has a constitutional unit represented by Formula A-1. [0024]

[0025] In Formula A-1, R11 represents a divalent linking group.
From the viewpoints of the printing durability and the chemical resistance, R11 represents preferably a divalent linking group having a phenylene group or a polycyclic structure, more preferably a divalent linking group formed of a phenylene group or a polycyclic structure, and still more preferably a divalent linking group formed of a polycyclic structure.
As the polycyclic structure, a naphthalene derivative structure, an anthracene derivative structure, a biphenyl structure, or a terphenyl structure is preferable, and a xanthone structure, an anthrone structure, a xanthene structure, a dihydroanthracene structure, and an anthracene structure, a biphenyl structure, or a terphenyl structure is preferable. From the viewpoints of the chemical resistance, the printing durability, and the developability, a xanthone structure, an anthrone structure, a biphenyl structure, or a naphthalene structure is preferable, and a xanthone structure or an anthrone structure is still more preferable. [0026] The content of the constitutional unit represented by Formula A-1 in the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain is preferably in a range of 10% to 90% by mass, more preferably in a range of 30% to 80% by mass, and still more preferably in a range of 50% to 70% by mass. [0027] - Constitutional unit represented by Formulae B-1 to B-6 -
It is preferable that the constitutional unit represented by Formula A-1 includes at least one constitutional unit selected from the group consisting of constitutional units represented by Formulae B-1 to B-6. [0028]

Formula B-5 r ormuia ti-o
[0029] In Formulae B-1 to B-6, RB11, RB12, RB21, RB22, RB31 to RB33, RB41, RB42, RB51, RB52, and RB61 to RB63 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a sulfonamide group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom, ZB11 represents -C(R)2-, -C(=O)-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, ZB21 represent -C(R)2-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, XB21 represents -C(R’)2-, -O-, -NR’-, -S-, or a single bond, and R’ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
[0030] In Formulae B-1 to B-6, RB11, RB12, RB21, RB22, RB31 to RB33, RB41, RB42, RB51, RB52, and RB61 to RB63 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a sulfonamide group, a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom, preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom, and more preferably a hydrogen atom. From the viewpoint of improving developability, an acid group such as a sulfonamide group, a hydroxyl group, or a carboxyl group is preferable.
ZB11 represents -C(R)2-, -C(=O)-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, preferably -C(R)2-, -O-, or a single bond, and more preferably -O- or a single bond.
R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and preferably a hydrogen atom.
ZB21 represents -C(R)2-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, preferably -C(R)2- or -O-, and more preferably -O-.
XB21 represents -C(R’)2-, -O-, -NR’-, -S-, or a single bond and preferably -C(R’)2-.
R’ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0031] The content of at least one constitutional unit selected from the group consisting of constitutional units represented by Formulae B-1 to B-6 in the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain is preferably in a range of 10% to 90% by mass, more preferably in a range of 30% to 80% by mass, and still more preferably in a range of 50% to 70% by mass. [0032] [Constitutional unit represented by Formula A-2]
It is preferable that the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain has a constitutional unit represented by Formula A-2. [0033]
[0034] In Formula A-2, R10 to R12 represent a divalent linking group.
R11 has the same definition as that for R11 in Formula A-1, and the preferable aspects thereof are the same as described above.
R10 and R12 each independently represent preferably an alkylene group, an arylene group, or a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, a divalent unsaturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, or a divalent group formed by a plurality of these groups being linked to one another, and more preferably an alkylene group or an arylene group.
Further, it is preferable that two ester bonds present at a linking position with other structures in Formula A-2 are bonded to carbon atoms in other structures. [0035] As the alkylene group, an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferable, an alkylene group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms is more preferable, and an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms is still more preferable. Further, the alkylene group may contain oxygen atoms in the carbon chain. Examples of the substituent which may be included in the alkylene group include an alkyl group, an aryl group, and a halogen atom.
As the arylene group, an arylene group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms is preferable, a phenylene group or a naphthylene group is more preferable, and a phenylene group is still more preferable. The arylene group may contain heteroatoms in the ring structure, and examples of the heteroatoms include an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, and a sulfur atom.
As the divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, a divalent saturated alicyclic

hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms is preferable, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferable, and a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms is still more preferable. In addition, examples of the substituent which may be contained in the divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group include an alkyl group, an aryl group, and a halogen atom.
Examples of the divalent unsaturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group include a cyclopentenyl group, a cyclopentadienyl group, a cyclohexenyl group, a cyclohexadienyl group, and a cycloheptenyl group.
As the divalent group formed by a plurality of these groups being linked to one another, a group formed by a plurality of alkylene groups and arylene groups or a plurality of alkylene groups and divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, being bonded to one another, is preferable or a group formed by bonding an alkylene group, an arylene group, and an alkylene group in this order or bonding an alkylene group, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, and an alkylene group in this order is preferable. [0036] The content of the constitutional unit represented by Formula A-2 in the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain is preferably in a range of 10% to 90% by mass, more preferably in a range of 30% to 80% by mass, and still more preferably in a range of 50% to 70% by mass. [0037] - Constitutional unit represented by Formulae C-1 to C-6 -
It is preferable that the constitutional unit represented by Formula A-2 includes at least one constitutional unit selected from the group consisting of constitutional units represented by Formulae C-1 to C-6. [0038]

arylene group, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, a divalent unsaturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, or a divalent group formed by a plurality of these groups being linked to one another, and nC11, nC12, nC21, nC22, nC31, nC32, nC41, nC42, nC51, nC52, nC61, and nC62 each independently represent an integer of 1 or greater.
[0040] In Formulae C-1 to C-6, RC11, RC12, RC21, RC22, RC31 to RC33, RC41, RC42, RC51, RC52, and RC61 to RC63 each independently represent preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a halogen atom and more preferably a hydrogen atom. From the viewpoint of improving developability, an acid group such as a sulfonamide group, a hydroxyl group, or a carboxyl group is preferable.
ZC11 represents -C(R)2-, -C(=O)-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, preferably a single bond, -C(R)2-, or -O-, and more preferably a single bond or -O-.
R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and preferably a hydrogen atom.
ZC21 represents -C(R)2-, -O-, -NR-, -S-, or a single bond, preferably -C(R)2- or -O-, and more preferably -O-.
XC21 represents -C(R’)2-, -O-, -NR’-, -S-, or a single bond and preferably -C(R’)2-.
R’ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and preferably a hydrogen atom.
It is preferable that QC11 QC12 QC21 QC22 QC31 QC32 QC41 QC42 QC51 QC52 QC61 and QC62 each independently represent an alkylene group or an arylene group.
As the alk lene group as QC11 QC12 QC21 QC22 QC31 QC32 QC41 QC42 QC51 QC52 QC61, and QC62, an alkylene group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms is preferable, an alkylene group having 2 to 15 carbon atoms is more preferable, and an alkylene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms is still more preferable. Further, the alkylene group may contain oxygen atoms in a carbon chain. Examples of the substituent which may be included in the alkylene group include an alkyl group, an aryl group, and a halogen atom.
As the arylene group as QC11 QC12 QC21 QC22 QC31 QC32 QC41 QC42 QC51 QC52 QC61, and QC62, an arylene group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms is preferable, a phenylene group or a naphthylene group is more preferable, and a phenylene group is still more preferable. The arylene group may contain heteroatoms in a ring structure, and examples of the heteroatom include an oxygen atom, a nitrogen atom, and a sulfur atom.
As the divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group as QC11, QC12, QC21, QC22, QC31, QC32, QC41, QC42, QC51, QC52, QC61, and QC62, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms is preferable, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferable, and a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon

group having 6 to 8 carbon atoms is still more preferable. Further, the divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group may include a substituent. Examples of the substituent include an alkyl group, an aryl group, and a halogen atom.
As the divalent unsaturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group as QC11, QC12, QC21, QC22, QC31, QC32, QC41, QC42, QC51, QC52, QC61, and QC62, a cyclopentenyl group, a cyclopentadienyl group, a cyclohexenyl group, a cyclohexadienyl group, and a cycloheptenyl group are exemplified.
As the divalent group formed by a plurality of these groups being linked to one another as QC11 QC12 QC21 QC22 QC31 QC32 QC41 QC42 QC51 QC52 QC61 and QC62 a group in which a plurality of alkylene groups and arylene groups or a plurality of alkylene groups and divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon groups are bonded is preferable and a group in which an alkylene group, an arylene group, and an alkylene group or an alkylene group, a divalent saturated alicyclic hydrocarbon group, and an alkylene group are bonded in this order is preferable.
nC11, nC12, nC21, nC22, nC31, nC32, nC41, nC42, nC51, nC52, nC61, and nC62 each independently represent an integer of 1 or greater, preferably an integer of 1 to 3, and more preferably 1.
[0041] The content of at least one constitutional unit selected from the group consisting of constitutional units represented by Formulae C-1 to C-6 in the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain is preferably in a range of 10% to 90% by mass, more preferably in a range of 30% to 80% by mass, and still more preferably in a range of 50% to 70% by mass. [0042] [Alkyleneoxy group]
It is preferable that the polyester containing a sulfonamide group used in the present disclosure in the main chain further includes an alkyleneoxy group in the main chain.
According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to obtain a positive type photosensitive resin composition which enables production of a positive type planographic printing plate precursor having excellent image formability and enables production of a planographic printing plate precursor having excellent printing durability.
As the alkyleneoxy group, an alkyleneoxy group having 2 to 10 carbon atoms is preferable, an alkyleneoxy group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms is more preferable, an alkyleneoxy group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms is still more preferable, and an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group is particularly preferable.

Further, the alkyleneoxy group may be a polyalkyleneoxy group.
As the polyalkyleneoxy group, a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 50 repeating units is preferable, a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 40 repeating units is more preferable, and a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 30 repeating units is still more preferable.
The preferable number of carbon atoms in the repeating units constituting the polyalkyleneoxy group is the same as the preferable number of carbon atoms of the alkyleneoxy group.
[0043] It is preferable that the polyester containing a sulfonamide group used in the present disclosure in the main chain is a compound having each constitutional unit represented by Formula D-1. [0044]
[0045] In D-1, R10 to R12 each independently have the same definitions as those for R10 to R12 in Formula A-2, and the preferable aspects thereof are the same as described above.
LD1 represents an alkylene group, an arylene group, or a group formed by a plurality of these groups being bonded to one another and preferably an alkylene group, an arylene group, or a biphenyl structure.
The number of carbon atoms of the alkylene group is preferably in a range of 1 to 20 and more preferably in a range of 1 to 8. Further, the alkylene group may be linear, branched, or cyclic.
As the arylene group, a phenylene group or a naphthylene group is preferable and a phenylene group is more preferable.
As the group formed by a plurality of these groups being bonded to one another, an alkylene-arylene-alkylene group and an arylene-arylene group are exemplified, and a biphenyl structure is more preferable.
LD2 represents an alkylene group, an alkyleneoxy group, a polyalkyleneoxy group, an arylene group, -NR-, or a group formed by a plurality of these groups being bonded to one another. Among these, an alkylene group or a polyalkyleneoxy group is preferable.
R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group and preferably an alkyl group having

1 to 10 carbon atoms.
The number of carbon atoms of the alkylene group is preferably in a range of 1 to 20 and more preferably in a range of 1 to 8. Further, the alkylene group may be linear, branched, or cyclic.
The alkyl group may include a substituent, and examples of the substituent include an aryl group, an aralkyl group, and a halogen atom. The substituent may be bonded to an alkyl group through an amide bond or an ester bond. Further, the substituent may further include a substituent. From the viewpoint of the developability, it is preferable that the substituent further includes an acid group as a substituent. Examples of the acid group include a carboxyl group, a phenolic hydroxyl group, and a sulfonamide group. Among these, a sulfonamide group is preferable.
The number of carbon atoms of the alkyleneoxy group is preferably in a range of 2 to 10 and more preferably in a range of 2 to 4. In addition, an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group is still more preferable.
As the polyalkyleneoxy group, a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 50 repeating units is preferable, a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 40 repeating units is more preferable, and a polyalkyleneoxy group having 2 to 30 repeating units is still more preferable.
The preferable number of carbon atoms in the repeating units constituting the polyalkyleneoxy group is the same as the preferable number of carbon atoms of the alkyleneoxy group.
As the arylene group, a phenylene group or a naphthylene group is preferable and a phenylene group is more preferable.
As the group formed by a plurality of these groups being bonded to one another, an alkylene-arylene-alkylene group and the like are exemplified.
[0046] i, j, and k represent a content ratio (% by mass) in a case where the total mass of molecules of the polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain is set to 100, and i:j:k is preferably in a range of 90:10:0 to 40:50:10 and more preferably in a range of 70:30:0 to 50:40:10. Further, the total value of i and j is preferably 90 or greater and more preferably 95 or greater. The total value of i, j, and k is preferably 95 or greater, more preferably 98 or greater, and still more preferably 99 or greater.
[0047] The terminal of the compound having each constitutional unit represented by Formula D-1 is not particularly limited, and is typically a carboxyl group or a hydroxy group and preferably a hydroxy group. Further, the terminal thereof may be blocked by a known

terminal blocking agent used for producing polyester.
[0048] [Method of producing polyester containing sulfonamide group in main chain]
The polyester containing a sulfonamide group in the main chain used in the present disclosure can be produced by a sequential polymerization reaction of, for example, a diol compound containing a sulfonamide group, a diol compound which does not contain a sulfonamide group as necessary, and a dicarboxylic acid compound.
Specifically, it is preferable that the polyester is produced by a sequential polymerization reaction of a diol compound represented by Formula E-1 with any or both of a dicarboxylic acid compound represented by Formula E-2A and a bifunctional carboxylic acid halide compound represented by Formula E-2B and then with a diol compound represented by Formula E-3 as necessary. [0049]
[0050] In Formulae E-1, E-2A, E-2B, and E-3, R10 to R12 each independently have the same definitions as those for R10 to R12 in Formula D-1, and the preferable aspects thereof are the same as described above.
LD1’s each independently have the same definitions as that for LD1 in Formula D-1, and the preferable aspects thereof are the same as described above.
LD2 has the same definition as that for LD2 in Formula D-1, and the preferable aspects thereof are the same as described above.
Hereinafter, specific examples of the diol compound represented by Formula E-1, the dicarboxylic acid compound represented by Formula E-2A, the bifunctional carboxylic acid halide compound represented by Formula E-2B, and the diol compound represented by Formula E-3 will be described. Further, each compound used in the present disclosure is not

limited to the following specific examples.
[0051] - Diol compound represented by Formula E-1 -
Specific examples of the diol compound represented by Formula E-1 include compounds represented by Formulae SA-1 to SA-33.
In Formulae SA-1 to SA-33, description on carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms contained in hydrocarbons will not be provided. [0052]