Abstract: | The direct polycondensation reaction of diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP) as a new condensing agent in pyridine was used for the preparation of polyarylene esters. High-molecular-weight polymers can be prepared by reacting a pyridine solution of dicarboxylic acids and DPCP in the presence of LiCl, followed by treating with a pyridine solution of bisphenols. About an equivalent of LiCl, and 30 mol % excess of DPCP were most favorably added. Effects of the initial reaction of the acids and DPCP, and of dropwise addition of bisphenols on the polycondensation were investigated. Polycondensations of several hydroxybenzoic acids were also carried out with limited success. |