Preparation and characterization of silicone rubber through the reaction between γ‐chloropropyl and amino groups with siloxane polyamidoamine dendrimers as cross‐linkers

A novel heat‐curable silicone rubber (MCSR/Si‐PAMAM) was prepared by using siloxane polyamidoamine (Si‐PAMAM) dendrimers as cross‐linkers and polysiloxane containing γ‐chloropropyl groups as gums. The chemical cross‐linking occurs through the reaction between Si‐PAMAM dendrimers and polysiloxane containing γ‐chloropropyl groups. The effect of various amounts of cross‐linkers on mechanical properties of MCSR/Si‐PAMAM was discussed in this paper. MCSR/Si‐PAMAM exhibits favorable mechanical properties with a tensile strength of 10.06 MPa and a tear strength of 47.9 kN/m when the molar ratio r of [N‐H]/[CH₂CH₂CH₂Cl] is 1:1. These excellent mechanical properties can be attributed to the formation of concentrative cross‐linking from Si‐PAMAM dendrimers in the cross‐linking networks, along with the introduction of Si–O–Si units in the internal structure of dendrimers. The introduction of Si–O–Si units reduces the steric hindrance of molecular structure, which facilitates the N–H bonds in the interior layers of dendrimers to react with γ‐chloropropyl groups. In addition, thermogravimetric analysis results indicate that MCSR/Si‐PAMAM is thermally stable even at high temperatures in a nitrogen atmosphere. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis reveals that the glass transition peak of MCSR/Si‐PAMAM is not identified in the temperature range −150 to −30°C, only a melting endothermic peak at −40°C.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of 3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate as nanostructured catalyst for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and amide derivatives

3‐methyl‐1‐sulfonic acid imidazolium tetrachloroferrate {[Msim]FeCl₄} was prepared and fully characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal gravimetric (DTG), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X‐ray analysis (EDX) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and used, as an efficient catalyst, for the tandem reaction of β‐naphthol with aromatic aldehydes and benzamide at 110 °C under solvent‐free conditions to give 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols in high yields and very short reaction times.     

Preparation and characterization of biodegradable poly(lactic acid)‐ block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) multiblock copolymer

Biodegradable copolymers of poly(lactic acid)‐block‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PLA‐b‐PCL) were successfully prepared by two steps. In the first step, lactic acid monomer is oligomerized to low molecular weight prepolymer and copolymerized with the (ε‐caprolactone) diol to prepolymer, and then the molecular weight is raised by joining prepolymer chains together using 1,6‐hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) as the chain extender. The polymer was carefully characterized by using ¹H‐NMR analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results of ¹H‐NMR and TGA indicate PLA‐b‐PCL prepolymer with number average molecular weights (M_n) of 4000–6000 were obtained. When PCL‐diols are 10 wt%, copolymer is better for chain extension reaction to obtain the polymer with high molecular weight. After chain extension, the weight average molecular weight can reach 250,000 g/mol, as determined by GPC, when the molar ratio of –NCO to –OH was 3:1. DSC curve showed that the degree of crystallization of PLA–PCL copolymer was low, even became amorphous after chain extended reaction. The product exhibits superior mechanical properties with elongation at break above 297% that is much higher than that of PLA chain extended products. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of fluorinated/non‐fluorinated β‐diketones and side‐chain branching of N‐protected amino acids on the antibacterial potential of new heptacoordinated monobutyltin(IV) complexes

The effect of fluorinated/non‐fluorinated β‐diketones and side‐chain branching of N‐protected amino acids on the antibacterial potential of new heptacoordinated monobutyltin(IV) complexes was investigated. New heptacoordinated monobutyltin(IV) complexes having the general formulae BuSn(A)₂B and BuSnA(B)₂ [where AH = (1,3‐dihydro‐1,3‐dioxo‐α‐(substituted)‐2H ‐isoindole‐2‐acetic acids, N‐protected amino acids), R =  CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₃: A₁H; R =  CH(CH₃)₂: A₂H; and BH = R'COCH₂COR″ (β‐diketones), R′ = R″ =  CH₃: B₁H; R′ =  CH₃, R″ =  C₆H₅: B₂H; R′ =  CF₃, R″ =  C₆H₅: B₃H] were synthesized. Complexes BuSn(A)₂B and BuSnA(B)₂ were generated by the reaction of sodium salts of the ligands AH and BH with BuSnCl₃ in 2:1:1 and 1:2:1 molar ratios, respectively. These newly generated complexes were characterized in physicochemical and spectroscopic studies. These complexes contain heptacoordinated tin centres as revealed by ¹¹⁹Sn NMR chemical shift values. Some of the newly generated complexes and their corresponding ligands were screened for their antibacterial activity to study the structure–activity relationship.     

Potassium tert‐Butoxide Catalyzed Synthesis and Characterization of Novel 3‐Aryl‐3‐(phenylthio)‐1‐(thiophen‐3‐yl)propan‐1‐one Derivatives

A series of thiophenyl‐containing 3‐thiophene derivatives ( 4a – 4i ) were prepared via the reaction of chalcone‐analogua compounds ( 3a – 3i ) and thiophenol in the presence of catalytic amount of KOBu‐t in CH₂Cl₂ with moderate to high yields. The mechanistic pathway of the reaction was explained by the Michael‐type addition of thiophenol to chalcone derivatives ( 3a – 3i ).     

Synthesis of 3‐(ω‐Hydroxyalkoxy)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐ones by Trifluoroacetic Acid‐Mediated Lactonization of tert‐Butyl 2‐(1,3‐Dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 2‐(1,3‐Dioxan‐2‐yl)benzoates

An efficient two‐step method for the preparation of 3‐(2‐hydroxyethoxy)‐ or 3‐(3‐hydroxypropoxy)isobenzofuran‐1(3H)‐ones 3 has been developed. Thus, the reaction of 1‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 1‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)‐2‐lithiobenzenes, generated in situ by the treatment of 1‐bromo‐2‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 1‐bromo‐2‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)benzenes 1 with BuLi in THF at ?78°, with (Boc)₂O afforded tert‐butyl 2‐(1,3‐dioxol‐2‐yl)‐ or 2‐(1,3‐dioxan‐2‐yl)benzoates 2 , which can subsequently undergo facile lactonization on treatment with CF₃COOH (TFA) in CH₂Cl₂ at 0° to give the desired products in reasonable yields.     

Mechanical,thermal and morphological properties of poly(ε‐caprolactone)/zein blends

Blends of poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) with zein (PCL/zein) in different proportions (100/0, 75/25, 50/50, 25/75 and 0/100 wt% containing 5 wt% glycerol) were compared based on their mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break, and Young's modulus), and on their thermal properties, the latter determined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The morphology of the materials was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Blends of PCL/zein showed reduced tensile strength and elongation at break, but increased Young's modulus compared to the pure polymers, in agreement with the DMTA and SEM results. These findings indicated that PCL and zein were incompatible. TGA showed that the thermal stability was enhanced by the addition of zein to PCL, whereas SEM showed a poor interfacial interaction between the polymers. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical characterization of poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) synthesized by lipase‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization

The Candida antarctica lipase B (Novozyme‐435)‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of ω‐pentadecalactone in toluene was performed. Poly(ω‐pentadecalactone) [poly(PDL)] was obtained in a 93% isolated yield in 4 h with a number‐average molecular weight of 64.5 × 10³ g/mol and a polydispersity index of 2.0. The solid‐state properties of poly(PDL) were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), stress–strain measurements, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, and dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopies. Poly(PDL) is a crystalline polymer that melts around 100 °C. The polyester shows good thermal stability, with a main TGA weight loss centered at 425 °C. Because of the high degree of poly(PDL) crystallinity, the glass transition (?27 °C) is revealed by relaxation techniques such as dynamic mechanical and dielectric spectroscopies, rather than by DSC. In addition to the glass transition, the viscoelastic spectrum of poly(PDL) also shows two low‐temperature secondary relaxations centered at ?130 (γ) and ?90 °C (β). They are attributed to local motions of the long methylene sequence (γ) and complex units involving water associated with the ester groups (β). The mechanical properties of poly(PDL) are typical of a hard, tough material, with an elastic modulus and yield parameters comparable to those of low‐density polyethylene. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 39: 1721–1729, 2001     

Investigation of pharmacophore and antipharmacophore features of certain dimethyltin(IV) complexes of flexible N‐protected amino acids and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones

A set of pentacoordinated dimethyltin(IV) complexes of flexible N‐protected amino acids and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones was screened for their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus and Streptomyces griseus . These pentacoordinated complexes of the type Me₂SnAB (where : R = CH(CH₃)C₂H₅, A₁H; CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, A₂H; CH(CH₃)₂, A₃H; CH₂C₆H₅, A₄H; and BH = R'C(O)CH₂C(O)R″: R′ = C₆H₅, R″ = CF₃, B₁H; R′ = R″ = CH₃, B₂H; R′ = C₆H₅, R″ = CH₃, B₃H; R′ = R″ = C₆H₅, B₄H) were generated by the reactions of dimethyltin(IV) dichloride with sodium salts of flexible N‐protected amino acids (ANa) and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones (BNa) in 1:1:1 molar ratio in refluxing dry benzene solution. Plausible structures of these complexes were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectral studies. ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectral data revealed the presence of pentacoordinated tin centres in these dimethyltin(IV) complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly (1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium‐co‐methyl methacrylate) gel polymer electrolytes for dye‐sensitized solar cells: Effect of structure and composition

Herein, three ionic liquid random copolymers (P) containing 1‐vinyl‐3‐butylimidazolium bromide (VBImBr) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) with various molar ratios were prepared using conventional free radical polymerization. Afterward, their corresponding chemically cross‐linked copolymers (XP) were formed similarly in the presence of polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA). The synthesized copolymers were characterized using FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and GPC. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the rigidity and thermal stability of the copolymers depended on the ionic liquid content as well as the degree of cross‐linking. Gel polymer electrolytes were then prepared via obtained copolymers in the presence of a constant amount of synthesized imidazolium‐based ionic liquid. Among the copolymers, the P3 with in feed VBImBr:MMA molar ratio of 70:30 and the cross‐linked 1%‐XP3 copolymer prepared with 1 mol% of PEGDMA exhibited the highest conductivity and diffusion coefficients for I₃^¯ and I^¯. The power conversion efficiency of the optimized linear and cross‐linked copolymers (P3 and 1%‐XP3) under the simulated AM 1.5 solar spectrum irradiation at 100 mW cm^?2 were 3.49 and 4.13% in the fabricated dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), respectively. The superior long‐term stability and high performance of the gel electrolyte containing 1%‐XP3 suggested it as commercial gel electrolyte for future DSSCs.     

Syntheses and properties of organosoluble polyamides and polyimides based on the diamine 3,3‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐3‐methylphenyl]phthalide derived from o‐cresolphthalein

Diamine 3,3‐bis[4‐(4‐aminophenoxy)‐3‐methylphenyl]phthalide (BAMP) was derived from the o‐cresolphthalein, and then it was polycondensated with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids and dianhydrides to synthesize polyamides (PAs) and polyimides (PIs), respectively. PAs have inherent viscosities of 0.78–2.24 dL/g. Most of the PAs are readily soluble in a variety of solvents such as DMF, DMAc, and NMP and afforded transparent and tough films from DMAc solutions. The cast films have tensile strengths of 75–113 MPa as well as initial moduli of 1.71–2.97 GPa. These PAs have glass transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 242–325°C, 10% weight loss temperatures occur up to 473°C, and char yields are between 57 and 64% at 800°C in nitrogen. PIs were first synthesized to form polyamic acids (PAAs) by a two‐stage procedure that included a ring‐opening reaction, followed by thermal or chemical conversion to polyimides. Inherent viscosities of PAAs are between 0.71 and 1.63 dL/g. Most of the PIs obtained through the chemical cyclodehydration procedure are soluble in NMP, o‐chlorophenol, m‐cresol, etc., and they have inherent viscosities of 0.58–1.32 dL/g. T_gs of these PIs are in the range of 270–305°C and show 10% weight loss temperatures up to 477°C. PIs obtained through the thermal cyclodehydration procedure have tensile strengths of 72–142 MPa, elongations at break of 8–19%, and initial moduli of 1.80–2.72 GPa. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 455–464, 1999     

Pd‐SBT@MCM‐41: As an efficient,stable and recyclable organometallic catalyst for C‐C coupling reactions and synthesis of 5‐substituted tetrazoles

A palladium S‐benzylisothiourea complex was anchored on functionalized MCM‐41 (Pd‐SBT@MCM‐41) and applied as efficient and reusable catalyst for the synthesis of 5‐substituted 1H –tetrazoles using [2 + 3] cycloaddition reaction of various organic nitriles with sodium azide (NaN₃) in poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as green solvent. Also this catalyst was applied as an versatile organometallic catalyst for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction of aryl halides and phenylboronic acid (PhB(OH)₂) or sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaB(Ph)₄). This nanocatalyst was characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and N₂ adsorption–desorption isotherms techniques. Recovery of the catalyst is easily achieved by centrifugation for several consecutive runs.     

(3‐Oxo‐[1,2,4]triazolidin‐1‐yl)bis (butane‐1‐sulfonic acid) functionalized magnetic γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles: A novel and heterogeneous nanocatalyst for one‐pot and efficient four‐component synthesis of novel spiro[indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline derivatives

The efficient synthesis of novel spiro[indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline derivatives via the four‐component condensation of amines, ninhydrin, isatoic anhydride, and о‐phenylenediamine derivatives catalyzed by ( 3‐oxo‐[1,2,4]triazolidin‐1‐yl)bis (butane‐1‐sulfonic acid) supported on γ‐Fe₂O₃ as novel heterogenous magnetic nanocatalyst was described. The novel nanocatalyst was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE‐SEM), and thermal analysis (TGA‐DTG). The nanoparticles covered by (3‐oxo‐[1,2,4]triazolidin‐1‐yl)bis (butane‐1‐sulfonic acid) showed enhanced catalytic performance in the preparation of spiro[indeno[1,2‐b]quinoxaline derivatives in excellent yields. Moreover, this method showed several advantages such as mild conditions, high yields, easy work‐up, and being environmentally friendly. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnet, recycled, and reused several times without a noticeable decrease in catalytic activity.     

Polymerization of 2‐pentene with Ni(II) α‐diimine complex/M‐MAO catalyst and structure of the polymer

Polymerization of 2‐pentene with [ArN?C(An)C(An)·NAr)NiBr₂ (Ar?2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)] ( 1‐Ni) /M‐MAO catalyst was investigated. A reactivity between trans‐2‐pentene and cis‐2‐pentene on the polymerization was quite different, and trans‐2‐pentene polymerized with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst to give a high molecular weight polymer. On the other hand, the polymerization of cis‐2‐butene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst did not give any polymeric products. In the polymerization of mixture of trans‐ and cis‐2‐pentene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst, the M_n of the polymer increased with an increase of the polymer yields. However, the relationship between polymer yield and the M_n of the polymer did not give a strict straight line, and the M_w/M_n also increased with increasing polymer yield. This suggests that side reactions were induced during the polymerization. The structures of the polymer obtained from the polymerization of 2‐ pentene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst consists of ? CH₂? CH₂? CH(CH₂CH₃)? , ? CH₂? CH₂? CH₂? CH(CH₃)? , ? CH₂? CH(CH₂CH₂CH₃)? , and methylene sequence ? (CH₂)_n? (n ≥ 5) units, which is related to the chain walking mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2858–2863, 2008     

Effect of Medium Acidity and Photostability of 3‐(4‐Dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐thiophen‐3‐yl)‐propenone (DDTP): A New Green Emitting Laser Dye

On the line of a previous work on the spectral properties of some of heteroaryl chalcone, the effect of medium acidity and photoreactivity of 3‐(4‐dimethylamino‐phenyl)‐1‐(2,5‐dimethyl‐thiophen‐3‐yl)‐propenone (DDTP) has been investigated in dimethylformamide and in chloromethane solvents such as methylenechloride, chloroform and carbon tetrachloride. The dye solution (ca. 5×10⁻⁴ mol·L⁻¹ in DMF) gives a good laser emission in the range 470–560 nm with emission maximum at 515 nm upon pumping by nitrogen laser (λ_ex=337.1 nm). The laser parameters such as gain coefficient (α), emission cross section (δ_e) and half life energy (E_1/2) at maximum laser emission are also determined.     

Copper(II) Complexes with N‐(9‐anthracenyl)‐N′‐(3‐pyridyl)urea (L) and a Derivative of L: Synthesis,Structure, and Fluorescent Properties

Three copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(OAc)₄L₂] · 2CH₃OH ( 1 ), [CuBr₂L′₂(CH₃OH)] · CH₃OH ( 2a ), and [CuBr₂L′₂(DMSO)] · 0.5CH₃OH ( 2b ) {L = N‐(9‐anthracenyl)‐N′‐(3‐pyridyl)urea and L′ = N‐[10‐(10‐methoxy‐anthronyl)]‐N′‐(3‐pyridyl)urea} have been synthesized by the reaction of L with the corresponding copper(II) salts. Complex 1 shows a dinuclear structure with a conventional “paddlewheel” motif, in which four acetate units bridge the two Cu^II ions. In complexes 2a and 2b , the anthracenyl ligand L has been converted to an anthronyl derivative L′, and the central metal ion exhibits a distorted square pyramidal arrangement, with two pyridyl nitrogen atoms and two bromide ions defining the basal plane and the apical position is occupied by a solvent molecule (CH₃OH in 2a and DMSO in 2b ).     

Stereoselectivity in Diphos Addition to Molybdenum Complex with Pyridine‐2‐thionate (pyS) and η3‐Methallyl Coordinated Ligands

The conformational isomers endo‐ and exo‐[Mo{η³‐C₃H₄(CH₃)}(η²‐pyS)(CO)(η²‐diphos)] (diphos: dppm = {bis(diphenylphosphino)methane}, 2 ; dppe = {1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane}, 3 ) are prepared by reacting the double‐bridged pyridine‐2‐thionate (pyS) complex [Mo{η³‐C₃H₄(CH₃)}(CO)₂]₂(η¹:η²:μ‐pyS)₂, 1 with diphos in refluxing acetonitrile. Stereoselectivity of the methallyl, C₃H₄(CH₃), ligand improves the formation of the exo‐conformation of 2 and 3 . Orientations and spectroscopy of these complexes are discussed.     

A new cross‐linked system of silicone rubber based on silicone‐polyurea block copolymer

A new cross‐linked system of silicone rubber (SR) was obtained from silicone‐polyurea block copolymers that was synthesized with aminopropyl terminated polydimethylsiloxane and (4‐isocyanatocyclohexyl)‐methane. SR possessed self‐reinforced and physical cross‐linked structure. It had better mechanical properties that the hardness, the tensile strength, and the elongation at break could reach 65 Shore A, 3.78 MPa, and 458% with the polyurea segment content ranging from 2.01% to 9.13% by weight . The hydrogen bond that led to the physical cross‐linked structure was proved byFourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The microphase separated structure that caused the self‐reinforcement was illustrated by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed the hydrogen bond formation between the polyurea units. Scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, and X‐ray diffraction analysis results proved the microphase separation existed between polyurea units and ―Si―O―Si― chains. The increase of polyurea contents enhanced the binding of hydrogen bond and improved the extent of microphase separation. Accordingly, it decreased the thermal properties and lowered the glass transition temperature (T_g) from −108°C to −114°C. Also, the increase of polyurea contents increased the hydrophobicity of SR that the surface free energy could reach to −24.81 mN/m.     

Blends of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate)/4,4′‐thiodiphenol and poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate)/ 4,4′‐thiodiphenol: Specific interaction and properties

The specific interaction between poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] and 4,4′‐thiodiphenol (TDP) and between poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and TDP was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Interassociated hydrogen bonds were found between the polyester chains and the TDP molecules in the binary blends. The fractions of associated carbonyl groups, F_b 's, in the blends first increased and then decreased as the TDP content increased. The thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of P(3HB)–TDP and PHBV–TDP blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, respectively. Thermal analysis revealed that the P(3HB)–TDP blends possessed eutectic phase behavior. Furthermore, it was found that the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of P(3HB) and PHBV were greatly modified through blending with TDP. Environmental degradability in river water was evaluated by a biochemical oxygen demand tester, and it was clarified that TDP lowered the degradation rate of P(3HB). The results suggest that TDP is effective in modifying the physical properties as well as the biodegradability of polyesters. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2891–2900, 2000     

Rigid‐rod polyamides and polyimides prepared from 4,3″‐diamino‐2′,6′‐di(2‐naphthyl)‐p‐terphenyl and 2′,6′,3‴,5‴‐tetra(2‐naphthyl)‐4,4″‐diamino‐p‐quinquephenyl

A series of rigid‐rod polyamides and polyimides containing p‐terphenyl or p‐quinquephenyl moieties in backbone as well as naphthyl pendent groups were synthesized from two new aromatic diamines. The polymers were characterized by inherent viscosity, elemental analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, X‐ray, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), isothermal gravimetric analysis, and moisture absorption. All polymers were amorphous and displayed T_g values at 304–337°C. Polyamides dissolved upon heating in polar aprotic solvents containing LiCl as well as CCl₃COOH, whereas polyimides were partially soluble in these solvents. No weight loss was observed up to 377–422°C in N₂ and 355–397°C in air. The anaerobic char yields were 57–69% at 800°C. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 15–24, 1999