Block copolymers derived from azobiscyanopentanoic acid. VI. Synthesis of a polyethyleneglycol–polystyrene block copolymer

Polycondensations were carried out between azobiscyanopentanoly chloride (ACPC) and polyethyleneglycols (PEG) having average molecular weight of 600, 2000, 8400, and 21,500, resulting in the chain extended PEG of several times the original polymer chain length and containing scissile ? N?N? units of azobiscyanopentanoic acid (ACPA). The poly(polyethyleneglycol-azobiscyanopentanoate), designated as \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\rlap{--} (PEG\rlap{--} )_n^*$\end{document} were thermally decomposed in the presence of styrene (St) to obtain PEG–PSt block copolymers. The amount of St consumed was proportional to [? N?N? ]^0.5 and [St]^1.2, whereas the chain length of the PSt segment was proportional to [? N? N? ]^?0.5 and [St]^0.8.     

Dendritic homopolymers and block copolymers: Tuning the morphology and properties

The synthesis and characterization of dendritic homopolymers and block copolymers of ?‐caprolactone and lactide (L ‐lactide and racemic lactide) were performed with multifunctional initiators in combination with living polymerization and the selective placement of branching junctures in a divergent growth strategy. A hexahydroxy‐functional 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid derivative was used as an initiator for the stannous‐2‐ethylhexanoate‐catalyzed living ring‐opening polymerization of ?‐caprolactone, L ‐lactide, and racemic L ,D ‐lactide. Branching junctions at the chain ends were introduced with benzylidene‐protected 2,2‐bis(hydroxymethyl) propionic acid. Subsequent generations were then polymerized, after deprotection, from these star‐shaped macroinitiators. Successive chain end capping and initiation produced three generations of polymers with molecular weights in excess of 130,000 g/mol and narrow polydispersities (<1.20). It was possible to prepare diblock and triblock copolymers with phase‐separated morphologies, and with L ‐lactide or D ,L ‐lactide, semicrystalline and amorphous morphologies were demonstrated. The polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and differential scanning calorimetry. The compositions of the block copolymers and the conformational structures of the optically active polymers were also confirmed by optical rotation measurements. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1174–1188, 2004     

Novel synthesis of biodegradable poly(lactide-co-ethylene glycol) block copolymers

Biodegradable and amphiphilic diblock copolymers [polylactide-block-poly(ethylene glycol)] and triblock copolymers [polylactide-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-polylactide] were synthesized by the anionic ring-opening polymerization of lactides in the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether or poly(ethylene glycol) and potassium hexamethyldisilazide as a catalyst. The polymerization in toluene at room temperature was very fast, yielding copolymers of controlled molecular weights and tailored molecular architectures. The chemical structure of the copolymers was investigated with ¹H and ¹³C NMR. The formation of block copolymers was confirmed by ¹³C NMR and differential scanning calorimetry investigations. The monomodal profile of the molecular weight distribution by gel permeation chromatography provided further evidence of block copolymer formation as well as the absence of cyclic species. Additional confirmation of the block copolymers was obtained by the substitution of 2-butanol for poly(ethylene glycol); butyl groups were clearly identified by ¹H NMR as polymer chain end groups. The effects of the copolymer composition and lactide stereochemistry on the copolymer properties were examined. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 2235–2245, 2007     

Synthesis and properties of polydimethylsiloxane-containing block copolymers via living radical polymerization

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block copolymers were synthesized by using PDMS macroinitiators with copper-mediated living radical polymerization. Diamino PDMS led to initiators that gave ABA block copolymers, but there was low initiator efficiency and molecular weights are somewhat uncontrolled. The use of mono- and difunctional carbinol–hydroxyl functional initiators led to AB and ABA block copolymers with narrow polydispersity indices (PDIs) and controlled number-average molecular weights (M_n's). Polymerization with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) was discovered with a range of molecular weights produced. Polymerizations proceeded with excellent first-order kinetics indicative of living polymerization. ABA block copolymers with MMA were prepared with between 28 and 84 wt % poly(methyl methacrylate) with M_n's between 7.6 and 35 K (PDI <1.30), which show thermal transitions characteristic of block copolymers. ABA block copolymers with DMAEMA led to amphiphilic block copolymers with M_n's between 9.5 and 45.7 K (PDIs of 1.25–1.70), which formed aggregates in solution with a critical micelle concentration of 0.1 g dm⁻³ as determined by pyrene fluorimetry experiments. Monocarbinol functional PDMS gave AB block copolymers with both MMA and DMAEMA. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1833–1842, 2001     

Solution properties of polystyrene–polybutadiene block copolymers

Dilute solution viscosity and osmotic pressure measurements were performed on polystyrene (PS), polybutadiene (PB), polystyrene–polybutadiene (SB) diblock and polystyrene–polybutadiene (SBS) triblock copolymers. Anionic polymerization was used in such a way that the molecular weight of the PS block was kept constant (ca. 10 000), while the molecular weight of the PB block varied from 18000 to 450000. The measurements were carried out at a fixed temperature of 34.20°C in three solvents, namely toluene, a good solvent for PS as well as for PB, dioxane, which is a good solvent for PS and almost a theta solvent for PB, and cyclohexane, which is nearly a theta solvent for PS and a good solvent for PB. The compositions of SB and SBS, as derived from kinetic data agree with ultraviolet measurements in CHCl₃ solutions. The viscosity and osmotic pressure results indicate that the properties of SB and SBS are similar. Their intrinsic viscosities and second virial coefficients can be calculated from their chemical compositions, molecular weight, properties of parent polymers, and values of the interaction parameter \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\bar \beta _{{\rm SB}}$\end{document} between styrene and butadiene units, for molecular weights not exceeding approximately 10⁵. The magnitude of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\bar \beta _{{\rm SB}} $\end{document} varies with the solvent. The results suggest that the domains of the PS and PB blocks overlap to a great extent.     

RAFT polymerization of tertiary sulfonium zwitterionic monomer in aqueous media for synthesis of protein stabilizing double hydrophilic block copolymers

The reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization of a tertiary sulfonium-containing zwitterionic monomer (N-acryloyl-L-methionine methyl sulfonium salt: A-Met[S⁺]-OH) was performed in aqueous media in the presence of a water-soluble chain-transfer agent (CTA). Several parameters, such as the radical initiator, nature of the salt used as an additive, polymerization temperature, and solvent (water, buffer solution, and mixed solvents), were studied. The polymerization of A-Met(S⁺)-OH in acetate buffer using a trithiocarbonate-type CTA having two carboxylic acid moieties proceeded in a controlled fashion at 45°C, as confirmed by the low polydispersity of the products (M _w/M _n < 1.1) and pre-determined molecular weights. Poly(ethylene glycol)-based macro-CTA was also employed for the polymerization of A-Met(S⁺)-OH in mixed solvents (H₂O/EtOH and H₂O/DMF = 70/30 vol%) to afford novel nonionic-zwitterionic double hydrophilic block copolymers. The chain extension of the hydrophilic poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) macro-CTA with A-Met(S⁺)-OH was well controlled in pure water under the appropriate conditions, resulting in the formation of block copolymers with “as-designed” chain structures and relatively low dispersities (M _w/M _n < 1.3). The resulting sulfonium-containing double hydrophilic block copolymers having optimal nonionic/zwitterionic balance were efficient protein-stabilizing agents.     

Redox polymerization process: An efficient tool for the synthesis of block copolymers

The synthesis of poly(acrylonitrile)-block-poly-(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(acrylonitrile) copolymers has been carried out using a redox system consisting of ceric ion and poly(ethylene glycol)s of various molecular weights in aqueous medium. The generation of intermediate radicals in the redox process has been confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and the polymerization progressing through ‘blocking from’ mechanism has been postulated. The formation of the block copolymers has been confirmed by chemical tests and fractional precipitation technique as well as by FT-IR and FT-NMR [¹H and ¹³C–(¹H)] spectroscopic techniques. The triblock nature of the block copolymers has been ascertained through the cleavage of ether linkage of the PEG segment. TG/DTA studies of the block copolymers with PEG molecular weights of 1000 and above revealed two-stage decomposition, while their DSC traces exhibited a shift in the melting peak of PEG. GPC investigations of the block copolymers manifested a high homogeneity with unimodal distribution of molecular weights. SEM studies indicated significant changes in the morphological characteristics of the block copolymers. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of macrocyclic polystyrene-polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers

A series of macrocyclic polystyrene (PS)-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) block copolymers and similar block copolymers was synthesized by sequential polymerization of styrene and hexamethyl cyclotrisiloxane (D₃) initiated by a difunctional anionic initiator in THF at −78° followed by coupling with Cl₂SiMe₂ in very dilute (10⁻⁵ – 10⁻⁶ M) solutions. Total molecular weights ranged from about 2–85 × 10³. The formation of monodisperse macrocyclic block copolymers was indicated by the lower (15–30%) hydrodynamic volume of the rings compared to that of the linear block copolymers. Carbon-13 and ²⁹Si NMR likewise supported the absence of linear polymer in the macrocyclic block copolymer. The behavior of second virial coefficient A₂ of the rings and the linears versus temperature was examined by static light scattering in cyclohexane. Below 20° the A₂ for the linear polymer goes negative while that for the cycle remains positive. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) as a function of temperature also reflects that the cyclic polymers remain well solvated even down to 12°C. The DLS autocorrelation functions for the linear triblock however demonstrate the onset of aggregation and phase separation as the temperature is reduced below 20°C.     

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)/poly[(N-acetylimino)ethylene] thermosensitive block and graft copolymers

Block and graft copolymers with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly[(N-acetylimino)ethylene] (PNAI) sequences were synthesized via PNAI derivatives (macroinitiators or macromers). The polymerization yields for block copolymers synthesized in ethanol, using the PNAI macroinitiator, were low (<10%), except where photochemical polymerization was applied. By contrast, for the copolymerizations of N-isopropylacrylamide with the PNAI macromers, performed in alcoholic solution, quite high polymerization yields, around 80-90%, were reached. ¹H-NMR and IR spectral and differential scanning calorimeter thermal data confirmed the copolymer formation. Thermosensitivity of the copolymers was investigated by means of turbidimetric technique as a function of their nature, average molecular weight and composition. It was found that the length of the chain of the PNAI macromer and the content in hydrophilic PNAI units of the resulted copolymer affected this behavior.     

Aggregation and solubilization of organic solvents and petrol/gasoline in water mediated by block copolymers

A series of AB and ABA block copolymers of pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA and pCHMA-b-pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA cyclohexyl methacrylate (CHMA) and di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (DEGMEMA) with M_n ranging between 18,000 and 50,000 g mol⁻¹ and PDI = 1.09-1.32 were prepared via copper(I) mediated living radical polymerization with pyridylmethanimine ligands. Aggregation properties were investigated using a combination of ¹H NMR, dynamic and static light scattering. For comparative purposes poly(CHMA) and poly(DEGMEMA) homopolymers were prepared. The CAC values estimated for the di- and triblock copolymers soluble in cyclohexane are lower than 0.005 g L⁻¹ whereas the values found for block copolymers in methanol solutions are less than 0.070 g L⁻¹. DLS analysis showed the presence of micellar aggregates with diameters ranging from 25 to 40 nm with particle polydispersity indexes between 0.003 and 0.183. The pCHMA-b-pDEGMEMA-b-pCHMA micelles solubilized the aqueous phase in petrol/gasoline. The block copolymer-based micelles incorporate water within their hydrophilic domains, potentially overcoming a number of practical problems such as the formation of biphasic mixtures in solvent blends due to undesired water accumulation.     

Experimental and Theoretical Determination of the Limiting Partial Molar Volume of Indole in CCl<Subscript>4</Subscript>, Tetrahydrofuran and Acetonitrile at 293.15 K: A Comparative Study with Benzimidazole and Benzothiophene

The partial molar volumes of indole(Ind) at infinite dilution (V₂^￥V_{2}^{\infty}) in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄), acetonitrile (ACN) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) as solvents, were estimated from densitometry measurements at 293.15 K. The results indicate that $V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(ACN)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(CCl$V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(ACN)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(CCl $\approx V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(THF)}$\approx V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(THF)}. The values determined in this study are close to the values calculated from reported density for Ind in the solid state. In order to make a comparison the partial molecular volume of benzimidazole (Bim) and benzothiophene (BT) in solvents with appropriate solubility were measured too, and the results have revealed that $V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(BT)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Ind)}$V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(BT)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Ind)} in CCl₄ and $V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Ind)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Bim)}$V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Ind)}>V_{2}^{\infty}\mbox{(Bim)} in THF. In this work the role of solvent reorganization around to solute cavity, and specific and nonspecific interactions on the volumetric behavior of these molecules in solution are discussed using the Terasawa-Itsuki-Arakawa model, the Lee-Graziano model, molar volumes of solutes calculated at the DFT-B3LYP/cc-pVTZ and aug-cc-pVTZ level in the gas phase and considering solvent presence with the Onsager’s reaction field, and the van der Waals volume. This analysis suggests that the molecular volumes of solutes are overestimated by the quantum methods employed in this work and that the volumetric contribution from the van der Waals components to the limiting partial molecular volumes of solutes is important, with the exception of Ind in CCl₄ where the solvent reorganization is the dominant factor.     

Influence of block length on crystallization kinetics and melting behavior of poly(butylene/thiodiethylene succinate) block copolymers

The melting behavior and the crystallization kinetics of block poly(butylene/thiodiethylene succinate) copolymers (PBSPTDGS) with identical chemical composition (i.e., BS:TDGS = 50:50 mol %) were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Multiple endotherms were evidenced in PBSPTDGS samples, because of melting and recrystallization processes, similar to poly(butylene succinate) (PBS). By applying the Hoffman–Weeks’ method, the $ T_{\text{m}}^{ \circ } $ of the copolymers was derived. The isothermal crystallization kinetics was analyzed according to the Avrami’s treatment. The copolymer with long PBS blocks (PBSPTDGS15) is characterized by a very similar behavior with respect to pure PBS, indicating that PBS macromolecular folding is not affected by the presence of noncrystallizable thiodiethylene succinate blocks. In all the other cases, the overall crystallization rate was found to decrease as the block length is decreased, even though the work of chain folding, derived on the basis of Hoffman–Lauritzen nucleation theory, also decreased with the block length.     

Synthesis and properties of polyetheretherketone–polydimethylsiloxane block copolymers

Polyetheretherketone-polydimethylsiloxane (PEEK–PDMS) block copolymers were synthesized from the condensation of dimethylamino terminated PDMS and hydroxy terminated PEEK oligomers in 1-chloronapthalene. Yields for block copolymers synthesised from low molecular weight PDMS oligomers were good but yields were significantly reduced when higher molecular weight PDMS oligomers were used. This was related to the limited solubility of higher molecular weight PDMS in the reaction solvent. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicated that phase separation of the block copolymers occurred at very short segment length (M?_n < 4000). A depression in the crystallinity of both the PEEK and PDMS phases in the block copolymer was observed. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) studies indicated that the PEEK–PDMS block copolymers displayed insufficient thermo-oxidative stability to be melt-processed successfully in PEEK based blends.     

Synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers with well‐defined glycopolymer segment by atom transfer radical polymerization

AB block copolymers of 2‐(2′,3′,4′,6′‐tetra‐O‐acetyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyloxy)ethyl acrylate (AcGEA) with styrene (St) have been synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using well‐defined bromo‐terminated polystyrene as a macroinitiator. An O‐deacetylation of the precursor copolymers affords amphiphilic block copolymers, PSt‐b‐PGEA, with well‐defined glycopolymer segments and narrow molecular weight distributions (M_w/M_n < 1.4). The examination of the aqueous solution of these amphiphilic block copolymers revealed the formation of ordered aggregates.     

Synthesis of new smectic C* liquid-crystalline block copolymers

A series of smectic C^* liquid-crystalline (LC) block copolymers were successfully synthesized via the living anionic polymerization of polystyrene with optically active methacrylate monomers containing (S)-2-methylbutyl 4-(4-hydroxyphenylcarbonyloxy)-biphenyl-4′-carboxylate mesogens. These materials are the first reported smectic C^* block copolymers. Anionic polymerization in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −70°C leads to LC block molecular weights of approximately twenty repeating units. The number-average molecular weight of the polystyrene block was varied from 7000 to 20000 to adjust the composition in the block copolymers. Differential scanning calorimetry and optical microscopy indicate that the smectic C^* phase is present in the systems over broad temperature ranges.     

Interplay between domain microstructure and nematic order in liquid crystalline/isotropic block copolymers

The domain microstructure and the nematic LC mesophase in a series of side-chain liquid crystalline/isotropic (LC/I) diblock copolymers with systematically varied block volume fractions were studied in a broad temperature range (25–170 °C) by DSC, polarized microscopy, and wide and small angle X-ray scattering. At all temperatures the block copolymers are microphase separated. The PSLC block copolymers exhibit order at two length-scales: on one hand, a nematic LC mesophase with characteristic length-scale of 0.43 nm (intermesogen distance); on the other hand, lamellar, hexagonal or cubic domain microstructures with characteristic length-scales of 27–44 nm (lattice parameter). The LC block was either located in the matrix or confined inside the microdomains. The thermotropic behavior is characterized by the sequence g/~35 °C/n/~115 °C/i and is not affected by the domain microstructure and/or dimensions. Analysis of the lamellar dimensions showed that the LC chain is stretched. With increasing temperature, a thermal expansion of both blocks takes place followed by a retraction of the LC chain above T_NI. The phase diagram is asymmetric and does not alter above T_NI. No order-to-order transitions triggered by the nematic-isotropic transition are observed. It was shown that domain microstructures of low interfacial curvature (lamellar and hexagonal) are energetically favored over the geometrically expected ones of high interfacial curvature (micellar cubic) due to the presence of nematic LC mesophase in the matrix or in the microdomains. By comparison to theory a Kuhn segment length of the LC block b_LC=0.86 nm was derived from the location of the lamellar/hexagonal phase boundaries.This paper is dedicated to Prof. Fischer on the occasion of his 75th birthday.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable homopolymers and block copolymers based on adipic anhydride

Homopolymers of adipic anhydride (AA) and block copolymers of ϵ-caprolactone (ϵ-CL) and AA have been synthesized with aluminum triisopropoxide as an initiator. Homopolymerization was studied at 20°C in toluene and methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂). The end-group analysis agrees with a coordination insertion mechanism based on the acyl-oxygen cleavage of the AA ring. Living poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) chains are very efficient macro-initiators for the polymerization of AA, with formation of diblock copolymers of a narrow molecular weight distribution. At our best knowledge, low molecular weight ω-aluminum alkoxide PCL macroinitiators (M_n < 1000) allow the first valuable synthesis of PAA with a molecular weight as high as 58,000 and a quite narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.2). Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and ¹³C NMR confirm the blocky structure of the copolymers, in agreement with DSC that shows two melting endotherms and two glass transitions characteristic of the crystalline and amorphous phases of PCL and PAA, respectively. Block copolymers of ϵ-CL and AA are also sensitive to hydrolysis, which makes them possible candidates for biomedical applications. Initiation of the AA polymerization in bulk with aluminum triisopropoxide in the presence of various ligands is also discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation of nanoparticles of double‐hydrophilic PEO‐PHEMA block copolymers by AGET ATRP in inverse miniemulsion

Atom transfer radical polymerization with activators generated by electron transfer initiating/catalytic system (AGET ATRP) of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) was carried out in inverse miniemulsion. Water‐soluble ascorbic acid as a reducing agent and mono‐ and difunctional poly(ethylene oxide)‐based bromoisobutyrate (PEO‐Br) as a macroinitiator were used in the presence of CuBr₂/tris[(2‐pyridyl)methyl]amine (TPMA) and CuCl₂/TPMA complexes. The use of poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) as a polymer surfactant resulted in the formation of stable HEMA cyclohexane inverse dispersion and PHEMA colloidal particles. All polymerizations were well‐controlled, allowing for the preparation of well‐defined PEO‐PHEMA and PHEMA‐PEO‐PHEMA block copolymers with relatively high molecular weight (DP > 200) and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n < 1.3). These block copolymers self‐assembled to form micellar nanoparticles being 10–20 nm in diameter with uniform size distribution, and aggregation number of ～10 confirmed by atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4764–4772, 2007     

Thermische Zerfallsreaktionen von Nitroverbindungen in Stosswellen. III: Dissoziation von 1-Nitropropan und 2-Nitropropan

The pyrolysis of 1- and 2-nitropropane highly diluted in Ar has been studied in shock waves at temperatures K 915 < T < 1200 K and total gas concentrations 7 · 10^?6 mol cm^?3 < [Ar] < 1.5 · 10^?4 mol cm^?3. The reactions behind the shock waves have been followed by recording light absorption-time profiles of the decomposing molecules and the produced NO₂ Under the conditions of the experiments, the primary reaction step in both cases is the C? N bond:fission: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \begin{array}{rcl} {\rm 1} - {\rm C}_{\rm 3} {\rm H}_{\rm 7} {\rm NO}_{\rm 2} {\rm (} + {\rm M)} &\to & n - {\rm C}_{\rm 3} {\rm H}_{\rm 7} + {\rm NO}_{\rm 2} {\rm (} + {\rm M)\quad k} = 2.3 \cdot 10^{15} {\rm exp }(- 55{\rm kcal mol}^{ - 1} /{\rm RT}){\rm s}^{ - 1} \\ 2 - {\rm C}_{\rm 3} {\rm H}_{\rm 7} {\rm NO}_{\rm 2} {\rm (} + {\rm M)} &\to & i - {\rm C}_{\rm 3} {\rm H}_{\rm 7} + {\rm NO}_{\rm 2} {\rm (} + {\rm M)\quad k} = 2.4 \cdot 10^{15} {\rm exp }(- 54{\rm kcal mol}^{ - 1} /{\rm RT}){\rm s}^{ - 1} \\ \end{array} $\end{document} (first order rate constants k measured at concentrations of [Ar] ? 10^?4 mol cm^?3). At these concentrations the reactions are near to the high pressure limit. By varying the Ar-concentrations over one order of magnitude, only a slight pressure dependence was found. Reaction mechanisms which account for NO₂ removal are discussed.     

Imide-aryl ether ketone block copolymers

Imide-aryl ether ketone block copolymers were prepared and their morphology and thermal and mechanical properties investigated. Two aryl ether ketone blocks were incorporated; the first was an amorphous block derived from bisphenol–A and the second block was a semi-crystalline poly(aryl ether ether ketone) prepared from a soluble and amorphous ketimine precursor. Bis(amino) aryl ether ketone and aryl ether ketimine oligomers were prepared via a nucleophilic aromaic substitution reaction with molecular weights ranging from 6,000 to 12,000 g/mol. The oligomers were co-reacted with 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) diethyl ester diacyl chloride in N-methyl–2-pyrrolidone (NMP) in the presence of N-methylmorpholine. The copolymer compositions, determined by H-NMR, of the resulting amic ester based copolymers ranged from 8 to 50 wt % aryl ether ketone or ketimine content. Prior to imide formation, the ketimine moiety of the aryl ether ketimine block was hydrolyzed (p-toluene sulfonic acid) to the ketone form producing the aryl ether ether ketone block. Compositions of this block were maintained low to retain solubility. Solutions of the copolymers were cast and cured to effect imidization, producing clear films with high moduli (ca. 2200 MPa) and elongations (33–100%). The copolymers displayed good thermal stability with decomposition temperatures in excess of 450°C. Multiphase morphologies were observed irrespective of the co-block type, block length or composition. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.