Model studies on the structure of poly(amide oxime)s and their cyclodehydration reactions leading to poly(1,2,4-oxadiazole)s

To obtain an understanding of the low molecular weight character of wholly aromatic poly(1,4-arylene acyldiamide oxime)s (PAAs) having n-alkyloxymethyl side braches and the additional decrease in molecular weight during their cyclodehydration reaction leading to the corresponding poly(1,4-arylene-1,2,4-oxadiazole)s (PAOs), tautomeric structures of poly[1,4-phenylene-2,5-bis(n-octyloxymethyl)terephthaldiamide oxime] (C₈-PAA) were ¹H-NMR-spectroscopically investigated by using two model compounds: O,O'-dibenzoyl terephthaldiamide oxime (H-PAA-M, 4) and O,O'-dibenzoyl-2,5-bis(n-octyloxymethyl) terephthaldiamide oxime (C₈-PAA-M, 5). In solution H-PAA-M existed exclusively as oximino isomer, while C₈-PAA-M consisted only of imino tautomer and C₈-PAA contained both the oximino and imino form, the former being dominant in composition. It was found that the presence of imino tautomer caused serious effects both on the low molecular weight character of C₈-PAA and on the additional decrease in molecular weight during thermal cyclodehydration to C₈-PAO, whereas the presence of oximino tautomer showed practically little effect. A discussion on the results is provided from mechanistic viewpoint. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and characterization of functionalized water soluble cationic poly(ester amide)s

A new family of positively charged, water soluble and functional amino acid‐based poly(ester amide)s ( Arg‐AG PEA ) consisting of four building blocks (L ‐Arginine, DL ‐2‐Allylglycine, oligoethylene glycol, and aliphatic diacid) were synthesized by the solution copolycondensation. Functional pendant carbon–carbon double bonds located in the DL ‐2‐allylglycine unit were incorporated into these Arg‐AG PEAs, and the double bond contents could be adjusted by tuning the feed ratio of L ‐arginine to DL ‐2‐allylglycine monomers. Chemical structures of this new functional Arg‐AG PEA family were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The thermal property of these polymers was investigated; increasing the methylene chain in both the amino acid and diacid segments resulted in a reduction in the polymer glass‐transition temperature. All these cationic Arg‐AG PEAs had good solubility in water and polar organic solvents. The cytotoxity of Arg‐AG PEAs was evaluated by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. These preliminary MTT results indicated that Arg‐AG PEAs were nontoxic to bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3758–3766, 2010     

Synthesis,characterization, and investigation of structure‐thermal cycloimidization relationship of novel poly(amide amic acid)s to poly(amide imide)s by thermogravimetric analysis

Novel diamic acids (DAAs) and poly(amide amic acid)s (PAAs) were prepared and their thermal cycloimidization to the corresponding imide form was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis under isothermal conditions at four different temperatures, that is, at 175, 200, 225, and 260 °C for 75 min. A general equation, 18NW/R_MW, where, the numerical 18 corresponds to the molecular weight of water, N is the number of water molecules, which would be eliminated per repeat unit of the PAA upon cycloimidization, W is the weight of PAA taken for TGA, and R is the molecular weight of the repeat unit of PAA, has been derived for the calculation of theoretical amount of weight loss of PAA upon complete cycloimidization. The degree of cycloimidization (DCI%) of PAAs to poly(amide imide)s (PAI) has been calculated from their isothermal TGA curves. The variation in DCI on temperature, time, and the structures of diamine and acid chloride, especially, with respect to meta‐ and para‐linkages and the presence of electron withdrawing groups has been discussed. Cycloimidization occurs at faster rate in the initial stages of about 20 min, curing and then proceeds in a gradual manner and reaches almost a plateau within an hour. The DCI was more at higher temperatures, and the final values were 22?60% at 175 °C, 34?78% at 200 °C, 50?96% at 225 °C, and 85?99% at 260 °C after 75 min of heating, depending on the nature of diamine and acid chloride in the PAA. The DCI of PAAs with meta‐linkages in either of diamine or diacid chloride was somewhat lower than those having para‐linkages. The DCI of PAAs containing electron withdrawing group like sulfone in the diamine is somewhat higher compared with those of others. The final DCI (%) values obtained from FT‐IR spectra and isothermal TGA curves were very close to each other. Further, the thermal and thermooxidative stabilities of the PAIs were discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2937–2947, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(aryl amide imide)s derived from diphenyltrimellitic anhydride

The synthesis and characterization of a series of novel poly(aryl amide imide)s based on diphenyltrimellitic anhydride are described. The poly(aryl amide imide)s, having inherent viscosities of 0.39–1.43 dL/g in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone at 30°C, were prepared by polymerization with aromatic diamines in N,N-dimethylacetamide and subsequent chemical imidization. All the polymers were amorphous, readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as DMAC, NMP, dimethylsulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, and m-cresol, and could be cast to form flexible and tough films. The glass transition temperatures were in the range of 284–366°C, and the temperatures for 5% weight loss in nitrogen were above 468°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4541–4545, 1999     

Heat-resistant and soluble fluorinated poly(amide imide)s based on non-coplanar ortho-linked diimide-dicarboxylic acid

A series of novel fluorinated heat-resistant poly(amide imide)s (PAIS) based on non-coplanar diimide-diacid monomer (DIDA) were synthesized and characterized. The poly(amide imide)s were obtained in high yields and possessed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.47-0.91 dL g⁻¹. All of the polymers were amorphous in nature, showed outstanding solubility and could be readily soluble in common organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinoned, dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N-dimethylformamide, pyridine and tetrahydrofuran. Glass transition temperatures were in the range of 221-263 °C, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry. Degradation temperatures for 10% weight loss occurred all above 520 °C and char yields was more than 50% at 700 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. Moreover, these PAIs possessed low refractive indexes (n = 1.58-1.59), birefringence (Δn = 0.008-0.013), and dielectric constants (? ≈ 2.5) due to the trifluoromethyl pendent groups and ortho-catenated aromatic rings that interrupt chain packing and increase free volume.     

Crystallization and crystal structure of poly(ester amide)s derived from L‐tartaric acid

The crystal structure and crystallization behavior of a series of poly(ester amide)s derived from L ‐tartaric acid, 1,6‐hexanediamine, and 6‐amino‐1‐hexanol were examined. The study included aregic polymers containing 5, 10, and 20% of ester groups in addition to the syndioregic polymer containing equal amounts of amide and ester groups. X‐ray diffraction data revealed that all the aregic poly(ester amide)s adopt the same crystal structure as the parent polyamide made of L ‐tartaric acid, and 1,6‐hexanediamine. In this structure, chains are slightly compressed and arranged as in the α‐form of nylon 66. Solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) revealed that ester groups are excluded from the crystal phase except for the case of the syndioregic polymer. Isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed according to the Avrami theory. Crystallization rates were found to decrease regularly with increasing contents in ester groups and with increasing crystallization temperature. Avrami exponent values close to 2 were found whereas spherulitic morphologies were observed by optical microscopy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 116–125, 2007     

Development of poly(urethane-ester)amide from corn oil and their anticorrosive studies

Corn oil-based poly(urethane-ester)amide was synthesized from corn oil-based fatty amide diol, camphoric acid, and tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate. The structure of corn polyesteramide and corn poly(urethane-ester)amide (CPEA) was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. CPUEA coatings were made on mild steel strips and their physicomechanical analysis (scratch hardness, impact test, conical mandrel test, and pencil hardness tests) was performed by standard methods. The surface morphology of coatings was observed by scanning electron microscopy and thermal stability was assessed by thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry. Anticorrosion properties of CPUEA were observed in acidic, saline, and tap water medium at room temperature using potentiodynamic polarization technique. The results of CPUEA coatings exhibit good physicomechanical and anticorrosive properties and can find application up to 175°C.     

Synthesis and properties of novel aromatic polyhydrazides and poly(amide–hydrazide)s based on the bis(ether benzoic acid)s from hydroquinone and substituted hydroquinones

4,4′‐(1,4‐Phenylenedioxy)dibenzoic acid as well as the 2‐methyl‐, 2‐tert‐butyl‐, or 2‐phenyl‐substituted derivatives of this dicarboxylic acid were synthesized in two main steps from p‐fluorobenzonitrile and hydroquinone or its methyl‐, tert‐butyl‐, or phenyl‐substituted derivatives. Polyhydrazides and poly(amide–hydrazide)s were prepared from these bis(ether benzoic acid)s or their diacyl chlorides with terephthalic dihydrazide, isophthalic dihydrazide, or p‐aminobenzoyl hydrazide by means of the phosphorylation reaction or low‐temperature solution polycondensation. Most of the hydrazide polymers and copolymers are amorphous and readily soluble in various polar solvents such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethyl sulfoxide. They could be solution‐cast into transparent, flexible, and tough films. These polyhydrazides and poly(amide–hydrazide)s had T_gs in the range of 167–237°C and could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s and poly(amide–1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s approximately in the region of 250–350°C, as evidenced by the DSC thermograms. All the tert‐butyl‐substituted oxadiazole polymers and those derived from isophthalic dihydrazide were organic soluble. The thermally converted oxadiazole polymers exhibited T_gs in the range of 208–243°C and did not show significant weight loss before 450°C either in nitrogen or in air. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1169–1181, 1999     

Novel method for the preparation of poly(urethane–imide)s and their properties

A polymer blend consisting of polyimide (PI) and polyurethane (PU) was prepared by means of a novel approach. PU prepolymer was prepared by the reaction of polyester polyol and 2,4-tolylenediisocyanate (2,4-TDI) and then end-capped with phenol. Poly(amide acid) was prepared from pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) and oxydianiline (ODA). A series of oligo(amide acid)s were also prepared by controlling the molar ratio of PMDA and ODA. The PU prepolymer and poly(amide acid) or oligo(amide acid) solution were blended at room temperature in various weight ratios. The cast films were obtained from the blend solution and treated at various temperatures. With the increase of polyurethane component, the films changed from plastic to brittle and then to elastic. The poly(urethane–imide) elastomers showed excellent mechanical properties and moderate thermal stability. The elongation of films with elasticity was more than 300%. The elongation set after the breaking of films was small. From the dynamic mechanical analysis, all the samples showed a glass transition temperature (T_g) at ca. −15°C, corresponding to T_g of the urethane component, suggesting that phase separation occurred between the two polymer components, irrespective of polyimide content. TGA and DSC studies indicated that the thermal degradation of poly(urethane–imide) was in the temperature range 250–270°C. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3745–3753, 1997     

Molecular weight dependent structure and charge transport in MAPLE‐deposited poly(3‐hexylthiophene) thin films

In this work, poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) films prepared using the matrix‐assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique are shown to possess morphological structures that are dependent on molecular weight (MW). Specifically, the structures of low MW samples of MAPLE‐deposited film are composed of crystallites/aggregates embedded within highly disordered environments, whereas those of high MW samples are composed of aggregated domains connected by long polymer chains. Additionally, the crystallite size along the side‐chain (100) direction decreases, whereas the conjugation length increases with increasing molecular weight. This is qualitatively similar to the structure of spin‐cast films, though the MAPLE‐deposited films are more disordered. In‐plane carrier mobilities in the MAPLE‐deposited samples increase with MW, consistent with the notion that longer chains bridge adjacent aggregated domains thereby facilitating more effective charge transport. The carrier mobilities in the MAPLE‐deposited simples are consistently lower than those in the solvent‐cast samples for all molecular weights, consistent with the shorter conjugation length in samples prepared by this deposition technique. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 652–662     

Synthesis and hydrolytic degradation of stereoregular aromatic poly(ester amide)s derived from D‐xylose

Stereoregular poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) were prepared by the polycondensation method using naturally occurring D ‐xylose and aromatic diacids as the starting materials. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, GPC, IR, and ¹H‐ and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. Thermal and X‐ray diffraction studies revealed them to be mainly amorphous. The polymers are hydrophilic and their degradation studies were carried out at 37 and 80 °C in buffered salt solution at pH 8. The degradation study was monitored by mass loss, GPC, IR, and NMR spectroscopies. The hydrolytic degradation of these PEAs occurred rapidly by hydrolysis of the ester functions to a final compound, which maintained the amide functions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Synthesis and properties of novel aromatic poly(ester amide)s derived from 1,5-bis(4-aminobenzoyloxy)naphthalene and aromatic dicarboxylic acids

A new naphthalene ring-containing bis(ester amine), 1,5-bis(4-aminobenzoyloxy)naphthalene (2), was synthesized from the condensation of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene with 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride followed by catalytic hydrogenation. A series of naphthalene-containing poly(ester amide)s having inherent viscosities of 0.34-0.82 dl/g were prepared by the direct phosphorylation polyamidation from bis(ester amine) 2 with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids. The poly(ester amide)s derived from terephthalic acid, 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 4,4′-oxydibenzoic acid were semicrystalline and showed less solubility. The other polymers were amorphous and readily soluble in polar organic solvents and gave flexible and tough films via solution casting. Except for four examples, the poly(ester amide)s displayed discernible glass transitions between 190 and 227 °C by differential scanning calorimetry. These poly(ester amide)s did not show significant decomposition below 400 °C in nitrogen or air.     

Preparation of poly(bis(trialkylammonium) 4,4′-oxydiphenylenepyromellitamate) films: A useful polyimide precursor film

A poly[bis(trialkylammonium) 4,4′-oxydiphenylenepyromellitamate] film not containing residual solvents was prepared first as a polyimide precursor film. The preparative method is composed of three process steps involving (1) polymerization of pyromellitic dianhydride with 4,4′-oxydianiline in a mixed solvent of tetrahydrofuran/methanol, (2) addition of a mixture of methanol/trialkylamine to the resulting poly(4,4′-oxydiphenylenepyromellitamic acid) solution, and (3) casting onto glass plates and drying. The salt formation between the poly(amic acid) and trialkylamines was confirmed first by spectroscopic methods. The dried salt film is thermally cured to produce the polyimide film with a reduced coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2493–2499, 1997     

Relaxation behavior of aliphatic-aromatic poly(ether amide)s as revealed by dynamic mechanical and dielectric methods

The mechanical and dielectric relaxation of a set of aromatic-aliphatic polyamides containing ether linkages have been examined as a function of temperature (−140 to 190°C) and frequency (3 to 10⁶ Hz). The polymers differ in the orientation (meta and para) of the aromatic rings, in the length of the aliphatic chain, and in the number of ether linkages per repeating unit. Dynamic mechanical experiments showed three main relaxation peaks related to the glass transition temperature of the polymers (α relaxation), the subglass relaxations associated to the absorbed water molecules (β) and to the motion of the aliphatic moieties (γ). Dielectric experiments showed two subglass relaxation processes (β and γ) that correlates with the mechanical β and γ relaxations, and a conduction process (σ) above 50°C that masks the relaxation associated to the glass transition. A molecular interpretation is attempted to explain the position and intensity of the relaxation, studying the influence of the proportion of para- or meta- oriented phenylene rings, the presence of ether linkages and the length of the aliphatic chain. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys, 35: 457–468, 1997     

聚季铵盐离子液体材料制备及其对蛋白质吸附性能评价

通过一步合成法制备了两种可聚合季铵盐离子液体功能单体,并通过沉淀聚合法合成了相应的聚离子液体聚合物。对产物进行了核磁共振、扫描电镜、热重分析等表征。结果表明:所制备的两种材料粒径均匀,约为600 nm的椭球形颗粒,颗粒之间有相互粘连。通过对牛血清白蛋白(BSA)、卵清蛋白(OVA)、牛血红蛋白(BHb)、溶菌酶(Lys)、胰蛋白酶(Try)5种蛋白质的吸附性能实验,考察了聚季铵盐离子液体材料对蛋白质的吸附性能。考察结果表明:两种聚离子液体材料均对蛋白质具有一定的吸附性能。其中以4-乙烯基苄氯季铵盐离子液体为功能单体制备的聚离子液体材料对胰蛋白酶的吸附性能最好,是一种具有良好应用前景的材料。     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated poly(amide imide)s derived from 1,4‐bis(2′‐trifluoromethyl‐4′‐trimellitimidophenoxy)benzene and aromatic diamines

A series of fluorinated poly(amide imide)s were prepared from 1,4‐bis(2′‐trifluoromethyl‐4′‐trimellitimidophenoxy)benzene and various aromatic diamines [3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐diaminediphenylmethane, α,α‐bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐dimethyl phenyl)‐3′‐trifluoromethylphenylmethane, 1,4‐bis(4′‐amino‐2′‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene, 4‐(3′‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,6‐bis(3′‐aminophenyl)pyridine, and 1,1‐bis(4′‐aminophenyl)‐1‐(3′‐trifluoromethylphenyl)‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethane]. The fluorinated poly(amide imide)s, prepared by a one‐step polycondensation procedure, had good solubility both in strong aprotic solvents, such as N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone, dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, and cyclopentanone, and in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and m‐cresol. Strong and flexible polymer films with tensile strengths of 84–99 MPa and ultimate elongation values of 6–9% were prepared by the casting of polymer solutions onto glass substrates, followed by thermal baking. The poly(amide imide) films exhibited high thermal stability, with glass‐transition temperatures of 257–266 °C and initial thermal decomposition temperatures of greater than 540 °C. The polymer films also had good dielectric properties, with dielectric constants of 3.26–3.52 and dissipation factors of 3.0–7.7 × 10^?3, and acceptable electrical insulating properties. The balance of excellent solubility and thermal stability associated with good mechanical and electrical properties made the poly(amide imide)s potential candidates for practical applications in the microelectronics industry and other related fields. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1831–1840, 2003     

Solution,thermal and optical properties of novel poly(pyridinium salt)s derived from conjugated pyridine diamines

Several novel poly(pyridinium salt)s with heterocyclic pyridine moieties in their backbones with tosylate and triflimide counterions were prepared by either ring‐transmutation polymerization reaction of phenylated‐bis(pyrylium tosylate) with isomeric pyridine diamines of 4‐phenyl‐2,6‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)pyridine in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for 48 h at 130–140 °C or by metathesis reaction of the respective tosylate polymers with lithium triflimide in DMSO at about 60 °C. Their chemical structures were characterized by FTIR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Their number‐average molecular weights (M_n) were in the range of 8,000–51,000 and their polydispersities in the range of 1.18–2.13 as determined by gel permeation chromatography. They had excellent thermal stabilities of 340–458 °C and high glass transition temperatures >200 °C. As they showed good solubilities in common organic solvents, their solution properties were also characterized for their lyotropic liquid‐crystalline properties with polarizing optical microscopy (POM) studies. Their photoluminescent properties were examined by using a spectrofluorometer in both solution and solid states. Their quantum yields were rather low, which were in the range of 1.3–2.0%. Additionally, hand‐drawn fibers from the melts were examined to determine their morphologies with a number of microscopic techniques including POM, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

Synthesis and characterization of novel biodegradable unsaturated poly(ester amide)/poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate hydrogels

A series of novel biodegradable hydrogels were designed and synthesized from four types of unsaturated poly(ester amide) (UPEA) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG‐DA) precursors by UV photocrosslinking. These newly synthesized biodegradable UPEA/PEG‐DA hydrogels were characterized by their gel fraction (G_f), equilibrium swelling ratio (Q_eq), compressive modulus, and interior morphology. The effect of the precursor feed ratio (UPEAs to PEG‐DA) on the properties of the hydrogels was also studied. The incorporation of UPEA polymers into the PEG‐DA hydrogels increased their hydrophobicity, crosslinking density (denser network), and mechanical strength (higher compressive modulus) but reduced Q_eq. When different types of UPEA precursors were coupled with PEG‐DA at the same feed ratio (20 wt %), the resulting hydrogels had similar Q_eq values and porous three‐dimensional interior morphologies but different G_f and compressive modulus values. These differences in the hydrogel properties were correlated to the chemical structures of the UPEA precursors; that is, the different locations of the >C?C< double bonds in individual UPEA segments resulted in their different reactivities toward PEG‐DA to form hydrogels. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 3932–3944, 2005     

Preparation, characterization and application of pyrene-loaded methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(lactic acid) copolymer nanoparticles

Pyrene-loaded biodegradable polymer nanoparticles were prepared by incorporating pyrene into the polymer nanoparticles formulated from amphiphilic diblock copolymer, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(lactic acid) (MePEG–PLA). Their morphological structure and physical properties were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and zeta potential measurements. Further, MePEG–PLA nanoparticles containing pyrene as fluorescent marker were administered intranasally to rats, and the distribution of nanoparticles in the nasal mucosa and the olfactory bulb were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. NMR results confirmed that MePEG–PLA copolymer can form nanoparticles in water, and hydrophilic PEG chains were located on the surface of the nanoparticles. The particle size, zeta potential and pyrene loading efficiency of MePEG–PLA nanoparticles were dependent on the PLA block content in the copolymer. Following nasal administration, the absorption of nanoparticles across the epithelium was rapid, with fluorescence observed in the olfactory bulb at 5 min, and a higher level of fluorescence persisted in the olfactory mucosa than that in the respiratory mucosa. These results show that pyrene could serve as a useful fluorescence probe for incorporation into polymer nanoparticles to study tissue distribution and MePEG–PLA nanoparticles might have a great potential as carriers of hydrophobic drugs.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic poly(ester amide)s with pendant phosphorus groups

Two series of phosphorus‐containing aromatic poly(ester amide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.46–3.20 dL/g were prepared by low‐temperature solution polycondensation from 1,4‐bis(3‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)naphthalene and 1,4‐bis(4‐aminobenzoyloxy)‐2‐(6‐oxido‐6H‐dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin‐6‐yl)naphthalene with various aromatic diacid chlorides. All the poly(ester amide)s were amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents, such as N,N‐dimethylformamide, N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP). Transparent, tough, and flexible films of these polymers were cast from DMAc and NMP solutions. Their casting films had tensile strengths of 71–214 MPa, elongations to break of 5–10%, and initial moduli of 2.3–6.0 GPa. These poly(ester amide)s had glass‐transition temperatures of 209–239 °C (m‐series) and 222–267 °C (p‐series). The degradation temperatures at 10% weight loss in nitrogen for these polymers ranged from 462 to 489 °C, and the char yields at 800 °C were 55–63%. Most of the poly(ester amide)s also showed a high char yield of 35–45%, even at 800 °C under a flow of air. The limited oxygen indices of these poly(ester amide)s were 35–46. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 459–470, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10129