Fully aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of 3,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone

A series of fully aromatic, thermotropic polyesters, derived from 3,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone and various aromatic dicarboxylic acids, was prepared by the high-temperature solution polycondensation method and examined for thermotropic behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The aromatic dicarboxylic acids used in this study were 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-bibenzoic acid, and terephthalic acid. The two homopolymers of 3,4′-DHB with either 2,6-NDA or 4,4′-BBA formed nematic LC phases at 285°C and 255°C and also exhibited isotropization transitions (T_i) at 317°C and 339°C, respectively. The copolymer of 3,4′-DHB with 50% TA and 50% 2,6-NDA also formed a nematic LC phase and had a broader range of LC phase than that of its respective homopolymers. Two other copolymers of 3,4′-DHB, both containing 50% 4,4′-BBA, also formed nematic LC phases at low T_f values. All of the thermotropic polyesters had high thermal stabilities. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of 3,3′-bis(phenyl)-4,4′-biphenol with 4,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid

A series of wholly aromatic, thermotropic polyesters, derived from 3,3′-bis(phenyl)-4,4′-biphenol (DPBP), nonlinear 4,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid (4,4′-BDA), and various linear comonomers, were prepared by the melt polycondensation reaction and characterized for their thermotropic properties by a variety of experimental techniques. The homopolymer of DPBP with 4,4′-BDA had a fusion temperature (T_f) at 265°C, exhibited a nematic phase, and had a liquid crystalline range of 105°C. All of the copolyesters of DPBP with 4,4′-BDA and either 30 mol % 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA), or 50 mol % terephthalic acid (TA), 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDA) had low T_f values in the range of 220–285°C, exhibited a nematic phase, and had accessible isotropization transitions (T_i) in the range of 270–420°C, respectively. Their accessible T_i values would enable one to observe a biphase structure. Each of the copolymers with HBA or HNA had a much broader range of liquid crystalline phase. In contrast, each of the copolymers with TA or 2,6-NDA had a relatively narrow range of liquid crystalline phase. Each of these polyesters had a glassy, nematic morphology that was confirmed with the DSC, PLM, WAXD, and SEM studies. As expected, they had higher glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 161–217°C than those of other liquid crystalline polyesters, and excellent thermal stabilities (T_d) in the range of 494–517°C, respectively. Despite their noncrystallinity, they were not soluble in common organic solvents with the exception that the homopolymer and its copolymer with TA had limited solubility in CHCl₃. However, they were soluble in the usual mixture of p-chlorophenol/1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane (60/40 by weight) with the exception of the copolymer with 2,6-NDA. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 769–785, 1997     

Fully aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of 3-phenyl-4,4′-biphenol with 4,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid

A series of fully aromatic, thermotropic polyesters, derived from 3-phenyl-4,4′-biphenol (MPBP), nonlinear 4,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid (4,4′-BDA), and various other comonomers was prepared by the melt polycondensation method and characterized for their thermotropic liquid crystalline behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The homopolymer of MPBP with 4,4′-BDA had a fusion temperature (T_f) at 240°C, exhibited a nematic liquid crystalline phase, and had a narrow liquid crystalline range of 60°C. All of the copolyesters of MPBP with 4,4′-BDA and either 30 mol % 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA), 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (HNA) or 50 mol % terephthalic acid (TA), 2,6-naphthale-nedicarboxylic acid (2,6-NDA) and low T_f values in the range of 210–230°C, exhibited a nematic phase, and had accessible isotropization transitions (T_i) in the range of 320–420°C, respectively. As expected, each of them had a broader range of liquid crystalline phase than the homopolymer. They had a “frozen” nematic, glassy order as determined with the wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies. The morphology of each of the “as-made” polyesters had a fibrous structure as determined with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which arises because of the liquid crystalline domains. Moreover, they had higher glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 167–190°C than those of other liquid crystalline polyesters, and excellent thermal stabilities (T_d) in the range of 500–533°C, respectively. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of wholly aromatic copolyesters containing 2‐(α‐phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone moiety

Two series of new wholly aromatic thermotropic copolyesters containing the 2‐(α‐phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone (PIHQ) moiety have been synthesized and their basic properties such as glass transition temperature (T_g), melting temperature (T_m), thermal stability, crystallinity, and liquid crystallinity were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffractometry (WAXD) and on a polarizing microscope. The first series was prepared from acetylated PIHQ, terephthalic acid (TPA), and 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (NDA), and the second series from acetylated PIHQ, TPA, and 1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid (BDA). The T_g values (152–168°C) of the two series are not much different, although the values for the first series appear slightly higher. The T_m values (287–378°C) and the degree of crystallinity of the first series are appreciably greater than those of the second series. Such differences can be explained by the geometric structure of NDA and BDA moieties. All of the present polyesters are thermotropic and nematic. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 881–889, 1999     

Thermotropic liquid‐crystalline polyesters of 4,4′‐biphenol and phenyl‐substituted 4,4′‐biphenols with 4,4′‐oxybisbenzoic acid

A series of thermotropic polyesters, derived from 4,4′‐biphenol (BP), 3‐phenyl‐4,4′‐biphenol (MPBP), and 3,3′‐bis(phenyl)‐4,4′‐biphenol (DPBP), 4,4′‐oxybisbenzoic acid (4,4′‐OBBA), and other aromatic dicarboxylic acids as comonomers, were prepared by melt polycondensation and were characterized for their thermotropic liquid‐crystalline (LC) properties with a variety of experimental techniques. The homopolymer of BP with 4,4′‐OBBA and its copolymers with either 50 mol % terephthalic acid or 2,6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid had relatively high values of the crystal‐to‐nematic transition (448–460 °C), above which each of them formed a nematic LC phase. In contrast, the homopolymers of MPBP and DPBP had low fusion temperatures and low isotropization temperatures and formed nematic melts above the fusion temperatures. Each of these two polymers also exhibited two glass‐transition temperatures, which were associated with vitrified noncrystalline (amorphous) regions and vitrified LC domains, as obtained directly from melt polycondensation. As expected, they had higher glass‐transition temperatures (176–211 °C) than other LC polyesters and had excellent thermal stability (516–567 °C). The fluorescence properties of the homopolymer of DPBP with 4,4′‐OBBA, which was soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform and tetrahydrofuran, were also included in this study. For example, it had an absorption spectrum (λ_max = 259 and 292 nm), an excitation spectrum (λ_ex = 258 and 292 nm with monitoring at 350 nm), and an emission spectrum (λ_em = 378 nm with excitation at 330 nm) in chloroform. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 141–155, 2002     

Wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of 4,4′-biphenol,substituted biphenols,and 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diol with 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid

Wholly aromatic, thermotropic homopolyesters, derived from 4,4′-biphenol, substituted biphenols, or 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diol and 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid, and two copolyesters, each of which contained 30 mol % of 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, were prepared by acidolysis polycondensation reactions and characterized for their liquid crystalline properties. The solubility behavior of these polymers has also been investigated. The two homopolymers of phenyl-substituted biphenols with 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid were soluble in many common organic solvents. All of the homopolymers had lower T_m/T_f values than those with terephthalic acid, which was attributed to the incorporation of the asymmetric 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylate units in a head-to-head and head-to-tail fashion along the polyester chain. Two copolymers had lower T_m values than those of the respective homopolymers, as expected. They formed nematic phases which persisted up to 400°C, except those of phenyl-substituted biphenols with 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid. Each of these two polymers also exhibited an accessible T_i transition, and had a broad range of LC phase. They had glass transition temperatures, T_g, in the range of 139-209°C and high thermal stabilities in the temperature range of 465-511°C. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid

This article describes the synthesis and the properties of polyesters and copolyesters prepared from ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, 4,4′ biphenyldicarboxylic acid (BDA), and 2,6-naphthlenedicarboxylic acid (NDA). The effect of incorporating varying levels of BDA and NDA on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is described. Depending on the concentration, incorporation of BDA into PET leads to an improvement in glass transition temperature (T_g), strength, modulus, and barrier properties. Copolymers of PET containing up to about 50% BDA derived units are clear and have T_g's ranging from 85 to 105°C, making them suitable for applications where a high T_g along with clarity is important. Copolymers with higher BDA concentration are highly crystalline, with high rates of crystallization from the melt. Copolymerization of NDA with oligoethyleneterephthalate leads to copolymers that are generally amorphous. Crystallinity can be developed in copolymers with low concentration of NDA by thermal annealing. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3139–3146, 1999     

Fully aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of substituted 4,4′-biphenols. IV. Homopolyesters with terephthalic acid and copolyesters with terephthalic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid

A series of fully aromatic thermotropic polyesters based on mono-, di-, and tetra-substituted biphenols was prepared by the melt polycondensation method and examined for their thermotropic behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The homopolyesters obtained from substituted biphenols containing either one phenyl or two phenyl groups as substituent(s) and TA formed nematic melts, but the homopolymers of the substituted biphenols containing either four sec-butyl groups or two tert-butyl groups with TA had melting transitions, T_m, above 400°C. Thus, it was not possible to determine whether they formed nematic melts. On copolymerization with 30 mol % HBA most of the resulting copolyesters had much lower T_m values, compared to those of respective homopolyesters, and the copolymers of the biphenol monomer containing the tert-butyl groups formed a nematic melt at an observable temperature. However, the copolymer of the biphenol with sec-butyl groups still had a T_m above 400°C. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Fully aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline homopolyesters of 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid

A series of fully aromatic, thermotropic homopolyesters, derived from 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid and various aromatic diols, was prepared by the melt polycondensation method and examined for thermotropic behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The aromatic diols used in the study were hydroquinone, 2,6-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 2,3-, and 2,7-naphthalenediol isomers. All of the homopolyesters of 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid with aromatic diols (except that with 2,7-naphthalenediol) formed a nematic LC phase in the melt. They had the glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 133–164°C, the melting transitions (T_m) in the range 305–360°C and the high thermal stabilities (T_d) in the range of 410–483°C. The 2,6-naphthalenediol based homopolymer had the highest T_m (360°C) and the 2,3-naphthalenediol based homopolymer had the lowest T_m (305°C) among all of the homopolymers of naphthalenediol isomers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Wholly aromatic thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters of 2-(α-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone; copolymers with 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene

Two series of new aromatic copolyesters have been synthesized and their properties including liquid crystallinity have been studied. The first series was synthesized by polymerizing mixtures of diacetates of 2-(α-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone and 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol with terephthalic acid, and the second by polymerizing mixtures of diacetates of 2-(α-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone and 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene with terephthalic acid. These polyesters were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, wide-angle X-ray diffractomerty, and optical microscopy. The glass transition temperatures of the first series decrease from 167 to 138°C as one increases the content of the 1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol unit to 50 mol %. The T_g values of the second series are slightly higher than those of the first series, and appear to be less dependent on their composition. The degree of crystallinity of the first series decreases rapidly by copolymerization, much faster than that of the second series. The melting points of the first series copolymers are significantly lower than those of the second series. All of the copolyesters reported in this investigation form nematic melts. The initial decomposition temperatures of the copolymers were higher than 450°C. It was confirmed that thermal stability of the homopolyester, PIBPL-1.00, containing the isopropylidene units is significantly improved when compared with that carrying benzylic hydrogens. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2777–2786, 1997     

Layer structures. VI. Chiral sanidic polyesters derived from 2,5-bis (dodecyloxy) terephthalic acids and 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl

Copolycondensations of (S,S)-2,5-bis(2-methylbutyloxy) terephthaloylchloride with 2,5-bis(dodecyloxy)terephthaloylchloride and with 4,4′-bistrimethylsiloxybiphenyl yielded a series of novel chiral thermotropic copolyesters. These polyesters were characterized by elemental analyses, inherent viscosities, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, optical rotations, optical microscopy, DSC measurements, and WAXS powder patterns recorded with synchrotron radiation under variation of the temperature. All homo- and copolyesters formed a solid sanidic layer structure with melting temperatures (T_m) ≥ 200°C. A broad enantiotropic nematic or cholesteric phase is formed above T_m with isotropization temperatures (T_is) in the range of 275–325°C. Yet, the T_m of the chiral homopolyester is so high (378°C) that the melting process is immediately followed by rapid degradation. The cholesteric phases of the copolyesters displayed unusual mobile schlieren textures, but a stable Grandjean texture was never obtained. Cholesteric domains consisting of loose bundles of more or less helical main chains are discussed as supramolecular order responsible for the observed textures and their pronounced temperature dependence. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 947–957, 1997     

Synthesis and characterization of mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers based on 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene

A series of novel mesogen‐jacketed liquid‐crystal polymers, poly[2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)‐styrene] (P‐n, n = 1–11), were prepared via free‐radical polymerization of newly synthesized monomers, 2,5‐bis(4′‐alkoxyphenyl)styrene (M‐n, n = 1–11). The influence of the alkoxy tail length on the liquid‐crystalline behaviors of the monomers and the polymers was investigated with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry, polarized optical microscopy (POM), and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The monomers with n = 1–4, 9, and 11 were monotropic nematic liquid crystals. All other monomers exhibited enantiotropic nematic properties. Their melting points (T_m's) decreased first as n increased to 6, after which T_m increased slightly at longer spacer lengths. The isotropic–nematic transition temperatures decreased regularly with increasing n values in an odd–even way. The glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) of the polymers first decreased as the tail lengths increased and then leveled off when n ≥ 7. All polymers were thermally stable and entered the mesophase at a temperature above T_g. Upon further heating, no mesophase‐to‐isotropic melt transition was observed before the polymers decomposed. WAXD studies indicated that an irreversible order–order transition for the polymers with short tails (n ≤ 5) and a reversible order–order transition for those with elongated tails (n ≥ 6) occurred at a temperature much higher than T_g. However, such a transition could not be identified by POM and could be detected by DSC only on heating scans for the polymers with long tails (n ≥ 7). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1454–1464, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of wholly aromatic polyesters derived from 1-phenyl-2,6-naphthalene-dicarboxylic acid and aromatic diols

A series of new wholly aromatic polyesters was synthesized by melt polycondensation of 1-phenyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (PNDA) and diacetates of various aromatic diols. The aromatic diols studied are hydroquinone (HQ), methylhydroquinone (MHQ), phenylhydroquinone (PHQ), (α-phenylisopropyl)hydroquinone (PIHQ), 2,6-naphthalenediol (2,6-ND), 1,4-naphthalenediol (1,4-ND), and 4,4′-biphenol (BP). These polyesters were characterized for their crystallinity, glass transition temperature (T_g), melting temperature (T_m), liquid crystallinity, and thermal stability. In general, crystallinity of the polyesters are very low and the T_g values of the polyesters range from 150 to 172°C depending on the structure of aromatic diols. All of the polymers formed nematic phases above their T_m or T_g. The polyesters derived from PHQ and PIHQ are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. The initial decomposition temperatures of the polyesters are above 400°C under N₂ atmosphere. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and photocrosslinking behaviors of polyesters derived from trans-2,2′-dihydroxystilbene

The monomer, trans-2,2′-dihydroxystilbene (DHS), has been prepared by asymmetric photocleavage (254 nm) of coumarin dimer acid derived from coumarin dimer. Four new polyesters are successfully synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of the DHS with adipoyl chloride, azelaoyl chloride, sebacoyl chloride, and dodecanedioyl dichloride, respectively. The reduced viscosities of the polyesters decrease from 0.32 to 0.11 dL/g as the number of methylene unit in diacid chlorides increases from 4 to 10. From DSC investigation, it is found that the polyesters are semi-crystalline polymers with T_m = 39–192°C. Under 350 nm light, photocrosslinking behavior in solution and film-state is investigated by UV spectral change with irradiation time (350 nm). The photoreactive stilbene chromophores in the main chain dimerize to form cyclobutane derivatives, and lead to crosslinking of the polyesters. Photosensitivity in the film state has also been evaluated by their characteristic curves. Polyester from dodecanedioyl dichloride ( 5d ) exhibits the highest initial reaction rate and ultimate crosslinking ratio. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of biodegradable copolymers based on 4,4′‐(adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid, 1,6‐hexanediol,and poly(ethylene glycol)s

4,4′‐(Adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid (CAC) was synthesized by a condensation of adipoyl chloride and 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid. The CAC6 copolymers were prepared by a high‐temperature solution polycondensation of a diacyl chloride of CAC, 1,6‐hexanediol (6), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in which the molecular weights of PEG are 1000, 2000, and 8300. Differential scanning calorimetric curves of the copolymers exhibited a glass‐transition temperature because of PEG moiety and two melting endotherms (T_m's); the one at the higher T_m was due to CAC6 moiety, and the other at the lower T_m was due to PEG moiety, suggesting that these copolymers are the block type. The incorporation of the PEG component decreased the tensile strength and initial modulus, but increased the elongation extremely. The enzymatic degradation was performed in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2) with Ps. cepacia lipase at 37 °C. The degradation rate of the copolymers increased significantly with an increasing content of PEG, which was correlated to the water absorption of the copolymers. All copolymers could undergo photocuring by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation (λ > 280 nm) at ambient temperature, as examined by UV spectroscopy and solubility. The CAC6/E2000(50/50) film photocured for 3 min exhibited a good elastic property with a maximum tensile strength of 3.7 MPa and maximum elongation of 640%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2930–2938, 2003     

Preparation and physical properties of poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide terephthalamide) and poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide isophthalamide) films

To prepare thermally stable and high‐performance polymeric films, new solvent‐soluble aromatic polyamides with a carbamoyl pendant group, namely poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide terephthalamide) (p‐PDCBTA) and poly(4,4′‐diamino‐3′‐carbamoylbenzanilide isophthalamide) (m‐PDCBTA), were synthesized. The polymers were cyclized at around 200 to 350 °C to form quinazolone and benzoxazinone units along the polymer backbone. The decomposition onset temperatures of the cyclized m‐ and p‐PDCBTAs were 457 and 524 °C, respectively, lower than that of poly(p‐phenylene terephthalamide) (566 °C). For the p‐PDCBTA film drawn by 40% and heat‐treated, the tensile strength and Young's modulus were 421 MPa and 16.4 GPa, respectively. The film cyclized at 350 °C showed a storage modulus (E′) of 1 × 10¹¹ dyne/cm² (10 GPa) over the temperature range of room temperature to 400 °C. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 775–780, 2000     

Preparation and properties of polyesters from diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) and aliphatic diols

The new linear polyesters containing sulfur in the main chain were obtained by melt polycondensation of diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) with ethanediol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,2-propanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 2,2′-oxydiethanol. Low-molecular weights, low-softening temperatures and, very good solubility in organic solvents are their characteristics. The structure of all polyesters was determined by elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal behavior of these polymers was examined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The kinetics of polyesters formation by uncatalyzed melt polycondensation was studied in a model system: diphenylmethane-4,4′-di(methylthiopropionic acid) and 1,4-butanediol or 2,2′-oxydiethanol at 150, 160, and 170°C. Reaction rate constants (k₃) and activation parameters (ΔG^≠, ΔH^≠, ΔS^≠) from carboxyl group loss were determined using classical kinetic methods. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and properties of aromatic polyamides from 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic diamines

New aromatic dicarboxylic acids having kink and crank structures, 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) biphenyl and 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl, were synthesized by the reaction of p-fluorobenzonitrile with biphenyl-2,2′-diol and 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, respectively, followed by hydrolysis. Biphenyl-2,2′-diyl-and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.58–1.46 dL/g and 0.63–1.30 dL/g, respectively, were obtained by the low-temperature solution polycondensation of the corresponding diacid chlorides with aromatic diamines. These polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, and pyridine. Transparent, pale yellow, and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP solutions. These aromatic polyamides containing biphenyl and binaphthyl units had glass transition temperatures in the range of 210–272 and 260–315°C, respectively. They began to lose weight around 380°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 450°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) reinforced by N,N′‐diphenyl biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxydiimide moieties

Starting with 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride and methyl aminobenzoate, we synthesized a novel rodlike imide‐containing monomer, N,N′‐bis[p‐(methoxy carbonyl) phenyl]‐biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxydiimide (BMBI). The polycondensation of BMBI with dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol yielded a series of copoly(ester imide)s based on the BMBI‐modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) backbone. Compared with PET, these BMBI‐modified polyesters had higher glass‐transition temperatures and higher stiffness and strength. In particular, the poly(ethylene terephthalate imide) PETI‐5, which contained 5 mol % of the imide moieties, had a glass‐transition temperature of 89.9 °C (11 °C higher than the glass‐transition temperature of PET), a tensile modulus of 869.4 MPa (20.2 % higher than that of PET), and a tensile strength of 80.8 MPa (38.8 % higher than that of PET). Therefore, a significant reinforcing effect was observed in these imide‐modified polyesters, and a new approach to higher property polyesters was suggested. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 852–863, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10169     

Preparation and properties of aromatic polyamides from 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy) biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic dicarboxylic acids

New aromatic diamines having kink and crank structures, 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)biphenyl and 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl, were synthesized by the reaction of p-fluoronitrobenzene with biphenyl-2,2′-diol and 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, respectively, followed by catalytic reduction. Biphenyl-2,2′-diyl- and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.44–1.18 and 0.26–0.88 dL/g, respectively, were obtained either by the direct polycondensation or low-temperature solution polycondensation of the diamines with aromatic dicarboxylic acids (or diacid chlorides). These polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, and pyridine. Transparent, pale yellow, and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP solutions. These aromatic polyamides containing biphenyl and binaphthyl units had glass transition temperatures in the range of 215–255 and 266–303°C, respectively. They began to lose weight at ca. 380°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 470°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.