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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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     

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     

Effect of methyl groups on the thermal properties of polyesters from methyl substituted 1,4-butanediols and 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid

Results are reported on the effect of lateral methyl groups on the thermal properties of a series of polyesters prepared from diethyl 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate and various methyl substituted 1,4-butanediols. The diols were 1,4-butanediol; 2-methyl-1,4-butanediol; 2,2-dimethyl-1,4-butanediol; 2,3-dimethyl-1,4-butanediol; 2,2,3-trimethyl-1,4-butanediol; and 2,2,3,3-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediol. Apart from the tetramethyl derivatve, the transition temperatures of the methyl substituted polyesters were lower with respect of the unsubstituted polyester. On the basis of polarized photomicrographs, a smectic A mesophase was found for the unsubstituted polyester, whereas a nematic mesophase was observed for the 2-methyl substituted polyster. The 2,2-dimethyl, 2,3-dimethyl, and the 2,2,3-trimethyl substituted polyesters showed no liquid crystalline behavior. The 2,2,3,3-tetramethyl derivative displayed a birefringent melt phase although the DSC measurements were not unambiguous. A copolyester based on diethyl 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate, 1,4-butanediol, and 2,2,3,3-tetramethyl-1,4-butanediol showed a broad nematic mesophase. Further evidence for the nematic mesophase of this copolyester and the 2-methyl substituted polyester was provided by dynamic rheological experiments. Based on thermogravimetric analysis, it was concluded that the thermal stability was affected only when four methyl side groups were present in the spacer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel polyaryloxydiphenylsilane derived from 2,2′- dimethyl-biphenyl-4,4′-diol

A novel polyaryloxydiphenylsilane was synthesized successfully by solution polycondensation of 2,2′-dimethyl-biphenyl-4,4′-diol with diphenyldichlorosilane and the catalyst triethylamine in toluene at 80 °C. Polymers with a relatively high inherent viscosity and yield were obtained when the reactions were carried out in aromatic and lipophilic solvents. The novel polyaryloxydiphenylsilane was soluble in chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and chloroform as well as in polar solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and N,N-dimethylacetamide and also in some common organic solvents such as benzene and toluene. However, it was insoluble in both aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as in alcoholic solvents. The polyaryloxydiphenylsilane began losing weight around 400 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere, and the 10% weight-loss temperature was 473 °C. The glass-transition temperature of the polyaryloxydiphenylsilane was 102 °C. The glass transition could be lowered by the copolymerization technique with 2,2-bis(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)propane as an aromatic diol comonomer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4591–4595, 1999     

Liquid crystalline epoxy resins by polyaddition of diglycidyl ether of 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and difunctional aromatic compounds

This work is a continuation of the authors' earlier investigations of liquid crystalline epoxy resins prepared from diglycidyl ether of 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (DGE-DHBP), which was used as a mesogenic agent, and aliphatic dicarboxylic compounds, which were used as flexible spacers. In this paper, the synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline epoxy resins, prepared from DGE-DHBP and difunctional aromatic compounds are described. Three series of liquid crystalline epoxy resins were prepared by chain extension of DGE-DHBP with isomeric hydroxybenzoic and benzenedicarboxylic acids as well as diphenols. An isophthalic-terminated polyether was applied to decrease the temperature of phase transitions. The syntheses were carried out by catalytic polyaddition in the melt. Triphenylphosphine was applied as the catalyst. The resulting epoxy resins were investigated by DSC, polarizing microscope as well as by X-ray and IR spectroscopy. The phase transition temperatures and the type of mesophase of the resulting products depend on the character of the functional groups in the chain extender and on the position of the functional groups in the aromatic ring. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 21–29, 1998     

Improved conditions for fluorescent staining of proteins with 4,4′‐dianilino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐5,5′‐disulfonic acid in SDS‐PAGE

A simple and sensitive fluorescent staining method for the detection of proteins in SDS‐PAGE, namely IB (improved 4,4′‐dianilino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐5,5′‐disulfonic acid) stain, is described. Non‐covalent hydrophobic probe 4,4′‐dianilino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐5,5′‐disulfonic acid was applied as a fluorescent dye, which can bind to hydrophobic sites in proteins non‐specifically. As low as 1 ng of protein band can be detected briefly by 30 min washing followed by 15 min staining without the aiding of stop or destaining step. The sensitivity of the new presented protocol is similar to that of SYPRO Ruby, which has been widely accepted in proteomic research. Comparative analysis of the MS compatibility of IB stain and SYPRO Ruby stain allowed us to address that IB stain is compatible with the downstream of protein identification by PMF.     

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     

Liquid crystalline epoxy resins by polyaddition of aliphatic diepoxides with 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl

Liquid crystalline epoxy resins were synthesized from 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl (DHB), which was used as a mesogenic component, and diglycidyl ethers of aliphatic glycols (ethylene glycol and 1,6-hexanediol) which were used as flexible spacers. The synthesis was carried out by the catalytic polyaddition in the melt. Triphenylphosphine was used as the catalyst. The course of the polyaddition was investigated at various molecular ratios of the reactants. It was found that both linear and branched structures were formed in the course of the synthesis. The rates of the formation of the structures were calculated. The epoxy oligomers were investigated by DSC, polarizing microscope, and x-ray and IR spectroscopy. The molecular weight distribution was determined by GPC. The dependence of liquid crystalline properties of the obtained epoxy resins on the molecular weight and on the chain length of the flexible spacer was investigated. The molecular weight of the epoxy oligomers and the length of flexible spacer influence the phase transition temperatures. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyurethanes from 4,4′‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexoxy) biphenyl and aliphatic diols

A series of thermotropic liquid crystalline polyurethanes (LCPUs) were synthesized by the polyaddition reactions of 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (2,4‐TDI) with 4,4′‐bis(6‐hydroxyhexoxy)biphenyl (BHHBP) and aliphatic diol. The intrinsic viscosities of the polymers were measured by Ubbelohde viscometer, and the chemical structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). The LCPUs were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarized optical microscopy (POM), wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The intrinsic viscosities were 0.56–0.83 dl/g. According to the melting point (T_m) and the isotropic temperature (T_i) of the LCPUs, the temperature range of the liquid crystalline phase became wider with increased number of methylene spacers in the polyurethane. The LCPUs exhibited a nematic phase with a threaded texture and had a wide mesophase temperature range. The decomposition temperature of the LCPUs was >300°C. On WAXD, the LCPUs give a dispersing peak at 2θ ≈ 20°, and a strong diffraction peak at 2θ ≈ 25°. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Crystallographic report: A three‐dimensional coordination polymer: [Zn6(btc)4(4,4′‐bipy)5]n (btc = 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylate; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine)

The three‐dimensional (3D) coordination polymer [Zn₆(btc)₄(4,4′‐bipy)₅]_n ( 1 ) (btc = 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylate; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) has been prepared hydrothermally. The zinc(II) centers in 1 are bridged by btc ligands to form a trinuclear subunit, which is further linked by 4,4′‐bipy and btc ligands to construct the 3D coordination architecture. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.