Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of polyketones

Polyketone resins have been prepared by the Friedel-Crafts polymerization of dithiophenylidenecyclopentanone (I), dithiophenylidenecyclohexanone (II) and dithiophenylideneacetone (III) with adipoyl, sebacoyl and terephthaloyl dichlorides using boron trifluoride as catalyst and carbon disulphide as solvent. Polymers were characterized with IR, ¹H-NMR, and the results showed the presence of carbonyl of ketonic groups in the main chain. The polyketones have inherent viscosities of 0.40–0.70 dL/g. All the polymers are semicrystalline and most of them are partially soluble in most common organic solvents but freely soluble in aprotic solvents. The temperatures of 50% weight loss are as high as 185°C to 280°C in air, indicating that these aromatic polyketones have excellent thermal stability. All the polyketones were tested for their antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi.