Thermotropic homopolyesters—VI. A study of polymers based on 4′-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate

Polyesters were synthesized from 4′-acetoxyphenyl-4-acetoxybenzoate and dibasic acids having 6–12 methylene units using the transesterification procedure described by van Luyen and Strzelecki. These polymers are designated S_n, where n is the number of methylene units in the diacid. The transition temperatures of our polymers stand in reasonable agreement with those reported by Strzelecki and Liébert. The nematic phase extends over a broad temperature range (70–100°), and the biphasic region spans an additional 50°. The texture of the nematic phase is normal for S7-1 having η_inh = 0.30 dl/g, but the other polymers show bright nematic droplets on a darker background. The density of droplets decreases with increasing η_inh in the S7 series, and as η is increased for the other polymer homologues. Only S7-1 exhibits Williams domains on application of an electric field. Quite different properties are found for the polyester having η_inh = 0.80 dl/g prepared from 4′-hydroxyphenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate and the diacid chloride. It melted sharply 24° higher, and its nematic phase showed a normal texture. Moreover, its nematic-isotropic transition appears in the DSC as a sharp peak, and the biphasic region spans only 9°. We believe the transesterification reaction occasionally involves the internal ester linkage in the monomer unit, producing a polymer with no definite repeating unit structure and a distribution of hard segment lengths.     

Thermotropic homopolyesters. I. The preparation and properties of polymers based on 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl

A homologous series of polyesters was prepared from 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and dibasic acids having 5-12 methylene units. The mesophases formed at elevated temperatures were studied by differential scanning calorimetry and polarized light microscopy. This family exhibits an unusual odd-even effect when the transition temperatures are plotted as a function of the number of methylene units in the dibasic acid. Not only do the points for odd and even members fall on different curves, but the odd members exhibit a nematic phase over a very short temperature interval, while the even members form a highly ordered smectic phase. For both the odd and even series, the transition temperatures are significantly depressed when the inherent viscosity falls below 0.2 dL/g. The largest depression occurs for the crystal melting transition, so that polymers of low η_inh show anisotropic and biphasic regions over wider temperature ranges. A copolymer formed from an equimolar mixture of sebacic and chiral (+)-3-methyl adipic acid forms a cholesteric phase. Evidently copolymerization destabilizes the smectic phase which would have been expected. The results are discussed in terms of existing theory.     

Preparation of polyamides via the phosphorylation reaction. X. A study of higashi reaction conditions

We report a study of the conditions of the phosphorylation reaction for the preparation of aromatic polyamides using the Higashi reaction medium. For poly(p-phenylene terephthalamide) (PPD-T), the optimum conditions are: reaction temperature, 115°C; monomer concentration, C = 0.083 mol/L; and ratio of triphenyl phosphite (TPP) to monomer, 2.0. These optimum conditions produce PPD-T having η_inh = 6.2 dL/g. At temperatures of 120°C and above PPD-T precipitates from the reaction mixture, leading to lower molecular weights. At lower temperatures the reaction mixture gels, and the gel time decreases with increasing reaction temperature. However, polycondensation continues in the gel state. Monomer concentrations C = 0.10 mol/L and above produce precipitation and yield polyamides of lower molecular weight. For the preparation of poly(p-benzamide) (PBA), the optimum ratio of TPP to monomer is 0.6 for either p- aminobenzoic acid or N-4-(4′-aminobenzamido)benzoic acid. In the former case the inherent viscosity of polymer prepared at 115°C showed little dependence upon the concentration of the monomer. The highest value, η_inh = 1.8 dL/g, was obtained with C = 0.40 mol/L and a TPP/monomer ratio of 0.6. However, for the same TPP/monomer ratio, the monomer containing a preformed amide linkage, N-4-(4′-aminobenzamido)benzoic acid, gave PBA with η_inh = 4.6 dL/g when the monomer concentration is 0.33 mol/L. This is the highest value reported for PBA using the phosphorylation reaction. In A?A + B?B polycondensation, examples in which one of the monomers contained one or two preformed amide linkages produced polyamides having η_inh = 7.8 and 8.9 dL/g, respectively.     

Liquid crystalline polymers XII. Main chain thermotropic poly(arylidene-ether)s containing 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone moiety linked with polymethylene spacers

A new homologous series of thermally stable thermotropic liquid crystalline poly(arylidene-ether)s based on 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone moiety was synthesised by solution polycondensation of 4,4′-diformyl-α,ω-diphenoxyalkanes, I_a–f, or 4,4′-diformyl-2,2′-dimethoxy-α,ω-diphenoxyalkanes, II_a–f, with the 4-tertiary-butyl-cyclohexanone monomer. A model compound III was synthesised from the monomer with benzaldehyde and characterised by elemental and spectral analyses. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were in the range of 0.18–0.92 dL/g. The mesomorphic properties of these polymers were studied as a function of the diphenoxyalkane space length. Their thermotropic liquid crystalline properties were examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and optical polarising microscopy and demonstrated that the resulting polymers form nematic mesophases over wide temperature ranges. The thermal properties of those polymers were evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis and DSC measurements and correlated to their structural units. X-ray analysis showed that polymers having some degree of crystallinity in the region 2θ = 5–60°. In addition, the morphological properties of selected examples were tested by scanning electron microscopy.     

Preparation of polyamide-imides via the phosphorylation reaction. II. Synthesis of wholly aromatic polyamide-imides from N-[p-(or m-) carboxyphenyl]trimellitimides and various aromatic diamines

Wholly aromatic polyamide-imides with high molecular weight (η_inh up to 1.7 dL/g in DMAc–5% LiCl) were obtained by the direct polycondensation reaction of N-[p-( or m-) carboxyphenyl]trimellitimide [p-(or m-)CPTMI] and aromatic diamines by means of di- or triphenyl phosphite in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)-pyridine solution in the presence of lithium or calcium chloride. The factors affecting the phosphorylation reaction were investigated, in particular for the reaction of p-CPTMI and 4,4'-oxydianiline (ODA). Molecular weight of polymers varied with the amount of metal salts and showed maximum values at the concentration of 10-15 wt % in the reaction mixture. Monomer concentration of 0.2 mol/L produced polymer of the highest viscosity. Higher concentrations produced gelation and yielded polymers of low molecular weight. A reaction temperature of about 120°C gave the best results. Among the solvents tested, NMP was significantly the most effective for the reaction. The highest inherent viscosity values, η_inh = 1.35 and 1.58 dL/g, were obtained with triphenyl phosphite (TPP)/monomer and diphenyl phosphite (DPP)/monomer molar ratios of 2.0. Excessive addition of phosphites did not cause a serious deleterious effect on the molecular weight of polymer. Polycondensations of several combinations of p-or m-CPTMI and aromatic diamines were carried out with satisfactory results.     

Liquid crystal polymers. XVIII. Comparison of the properties of aromatic polyesters with different mesogenic units and a common flexible spacer

Four closely related polyesters, with aromatic ester triads and decamethylene spacers, were prepared and characterized for their thermotropic liquid crystalline properties. Two of the polymers, which were based on linear biphenols, formed stable nematic phases, whereas one of the two based on nonlinear biphenols formed a poorly defined nematic phase; the other was not liquid crystalline. Several polymerization reactions and methods were evaluated and structure-property relationships of the polymers are discussed. The concept of “degree of liquid crystallinity” for polymers with poorly defined thermotropic behavior is considered.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour of novel chiral nematic side chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes

A series of novel thermotropic side chain liquid crystalline polymers was synthesized by grafting copolymerization of a mesogenic monomer, 4-allyloxybenzoyl-4′?-(4-n-alkylbenzoyl)–p-benzenediol bisate and a chiral monomer, menthyl undecylenate. The mesogenic monomers exhibited nematic threadlike textures during heating and cooling. The polymers showed thermotropic liquid crystalline properties with a broad mesomorphic region over a range of 100°C. The polymers exhibited a cholesteric mesophase with a colourful Grand-Jean texture when the content of chiral units was greater than 15?mol?%; the others exhibited nematic threadlike textures. All of the polymers were thermally stable over 300°C, and most were laevorotatory as the chiral monomer.     

Band texture formation of sheared polymeric liquid crystalline state

The phenomenon of band texture formation of sheared main chain liquid crystalline polymers is reviewed. The bands seen in a polarizing microscope are optical effects. The macromolecular chains are aggregated into zig-zag bent fibrils perpendicular to the bands. The band texture is formed during shear relaxation. The induction period depends on the shear rate applied, the shearing time, solution concentration (lyotropic), solution layer thickness, temperature and the nature of the polymer. There exists a critical shear deformation to bring a multi-domain nematic or cholesteric phase into a monodomain continuous phase, from which the band texture is formed. These two phases show quite different rheological behavior. In certain cases randomly oriented regions of bands can also be formed during quenching of a thermotropic nematic polymer melt or during standing of a lyotropic nematic polymer solution, where the nematic domains in the melt or in the solution have grown to a sufficient size.     

Fluorescence study on a liquid‐crystalline polyester containing naphthoate mesogen units

Using fluorescence spectroscopy, we investigated intermolecular interaction between mesogenic units in a thermotropic main‐chain LC polyester, P(HBA73/HNA27), containing oxybenzoate (HBA) and oxynaphthoate (HNA) mesogenic units. It is known that P(HBA73/HNA27), which has a high molecular weight, shows second harmonic generation (SHG) activity. P(HBA73/HNA27) showed fluorescence at 410 nm and 430 nm, originating from two kinds of intermolecular interaction. Fluorescence with a peak at 410 nm comes from the ground‐state complex between partially overlapping naphthoate units or between naphthoate and oxybenzoate units whose interaction is weak. Fluorescence at 430 nm comes from the ground‐state complex between fully overlapping naphthoate units whose interaction is strong. The relative fluorescence intensity for 430 nm compared to 410 nm increases with increases in inherent viscosity, η_inh, of P(HBA73/HNA27), the composition ratio of HNA/HBA, and temperature. The fluorescence intensity ratio, I₄₃₀/I₄₁₀, of P(HBA73/HNA27) shows the same inherent‐viscosity dependence with its sudden increase at η_inh = 1.4 ∽ 2.2 dL/g as its SHG activity does, supporting the polar structure and uniformity of LC orientation of the present LC polyester. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 2922–2928, 2000     

Liquid crystal polymers 23. Steric and polar effects of large substituents in thermotropic aromatic polyesters with decamethylene spacers

A series of thermotropic aromatic polyesters based on a triad ester mesogenic unit containing an arylsulfonyl substituted hydroquinone group and a decamethylene spacer group was prepared. The large arylsulfonyl substituent was substituted in the para-position with either electron donating or accepting groups to study the effect of steric and polar interactions on the thermal transitions of these polymers and on the thermodynamic parameters of their isotropization transitions. All polymers formed nematic melts, and a regular decrease in T₁, ΔH₁ and ΔS₁ was observed with increasing molecular radius of the substituted hydroquinone group. However, a polarity or polarizability effect was superimposed on these relationships. Model compounds containing the same aromatic ester triad were prepared and their thermotropic properties were compared to those of the polymers. Essentially identical effects were observed for both.     

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.     

Synthesis of hydrogen-terminated aliphatic bis(ethynyl ketone)s and aliphatic poly(enamine-ketone)s and poly(enonesulfide)s

Hydrogen-terminated aliphatic bis(ethynyl ketone)s (H-ABEKs): 1,9-decadiyne-3,8-dione ( 3a ) and 1,13-tetradecadiyne-3,12-dione ( 3b ) were prepared by the Friedel-Crafts reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl) acetylene (BTMSA) with adipoyl chloride and sebacoyl chloride, followed by desilylation with an aqueous buffer solution. Aliphatic poly(enamine-ketone)s (APEKs) and aliphatic poly(enonesulfide)s (APESs) were prepared in nearly quantitative yield by the nucleophilic addition polymerization of 3a,b with various diamines and dithiols in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and m-cresol at room temperature during 14-22 h. Aromatic diamines and dithiols gave polymers that were soluble only in m-cresol. Primary diamines gave exclusively APEKs with the cis (Z) configuration. Dithiols gave APESs which contained more cis (Z) than trans (E) configurations. The inherent viscosities (η_inh) of the APEKs ranged from 0.05 to 0.73 dL/g. The APESs gave η_inh ranging from 0.36 to 2.21 dL/g.     

Comparative dielectric and thermotropic properties of liquid crystalline polyesters as a function of mesogen group and flexible thioether group length

Two polyesters containing rigid biphenyl and hydroquinone bisbenzoate groups and presenting flexible thioether moieties with different lengths (14 elements in the flexible group) have been carried out using a reaction of the Michaël type. The properties of these polyesters have been compared to those of polyesters of the same type presenting shorter flexible groups (11 elements). All these polymers present thermotropic properties: the biphenyl ones are smectic and the bisbenzoate ones are nematic. The biphenyl polyesters present two types of dielectric relaxations: α and β. The bisbenzoate ones show three relaxations, α and two β (β and β^′). The lengthening of the flexible group increases significantly the flexibility of the molecular chains.     

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 liquid crystalline homopolyesters and copolyesters of 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diol

A series of fully aromatic, thermotropic polyesters based on 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-diol, BND, was prepared by the melt polycondensation method and characterized for their thermotropic behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The homopolymer of BND with terephthalic acid formed a nematic melt at 353°C. In contrast, the polyester from BND and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid had a melting transition, T_m, above 400°C, so it was not possible with the equipment available to determine whether it formed a nematic melt. All of the copolymers of BND formed nematic melts at much lower T_m values than those of its respective homopolymers, as expected, because of the copolymerization effect of the added monomer. Moreover, all of the copolymers had higher glass transition temperatures, T_g, than those of other liquid crystalline polyesters and higher thermal stabilities. © 1994 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.     

Fiber spinning from the nematic melt. V. Flow instabilities in the 75:25 copolyester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid

We have investigated the rheological properties of the Celanese copolyester with the composition 75 mol% p-hydroxybenzoic acid and 25 mol% 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (designated as 75HBA/25HNA). Three different samples having inherent viscosities 3.0, 6.0, and 9.2 dL/g were studied. A flow instability is observed at low shear stress which produces an irregularity in the fiber diameter. The surface irregularity becomes less pronounced above a minimum shear stress, indicating that the flow instability originates in the capillary. For these nematic melts, the minimum shear stress marking the onset of more regular flow is found to decrease with increasing temperature and with decreasing inherent viscosity of the copolyester. The die swell ratio of extrudates decreases with increasing shear stress. Fibers were spun from the samples having η_inh = 9.2 and 3.0 dL/g. The initial modulus and tenacity to break for 75HBA/25HNA fibers spun at sufficiently high shear stress to produce smooth filaments are significantly lower than the values we previously reported for fibers of the 58HBA/42HNA copolyester. Moreover, the optimum properties are obtained at relatively low spin-draw ratios. The 75HBA/25HNA polyester also exhibits a yield stress which decreases with increasing temperature. This observation indicates the presence of crystallities at the test temperatures. We believe that the higher content of HBA in the present copolymer gives rise to crystallization of HBA blocks in the thread line and that defects are introduced at higher spin-draw ratios which cause the mechanical properties to become worse.     

High‐viscosity polyesters from secondary alicyclic 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids and hydroquinones with thionyl chloride/pyridine condensing agent

High‐viscosity polyesters can be prepared by the polycondensation of secondary aliphatic trans‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (t‐CHDC) and hydroquinones using SOCl₂/pyridine condensing agent at 80°C. Incorporation of its cis‐isomer significantly affected η_inh and the thermal property of the resulting copolymers. The copolymers of t‐CHDC, hydroquinones, and p‐hydroxybenzoic acid having different monomer sequences were prepared by changing the order of introduction of monomers.     

Cationic polymerization of 6,8-dioxabicyclo-[3.2.1]octane and 3,6,8-trioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane

6,8-Dioxabicyclooctane (DBO) and 3,6,8-trioxabicyclooctane (TBO) underwent ring-opening polymerization when treated with PF₅ in dichloromethane at ?78°C. These conditions were outstandingly effective for the polymerization of these bicyclic monomers, as shown by systematic variation of catalyst, solvent, and temperature. Best results were 68–84% yields of poly-DBO, η_inh 0.26–0.33 dl/g, and ～100% yield of poly-TBO, η_inh 0.56–0.80 dl/g. The relationship of these results to those of previous investigators of DBO discussed.     

Side chain liquid crystalline diethanolamine‐based polyesters with methoxy and/or nitroazobenzene mesogenic moieties

Side‐chain polyesters based on diethanolamine and 5‐hydroxyisophthalic acid with mesogenic methoxyazobenzene and nitroazobenzene groups were synthesized and their liquid crystalline properties were examined.

Four different types of polyesters were prepared by using various combinations of monomers differing in the mesogen group and the length of the spacer. The thermal and structural properties depend on the type of polyester as well as on the side chain length. The glass transition and isotropization temperatures increase when the methoxyazobenzene group is bound to a diol and decrease when it is bound to an isophthalic acid. Most of the polyesters are thermotropic liquid crystals and form a nematic phase on heating. Some polyesters exhibit shear induced isotropisation to nematic transition up to 25°C above the isotropization temperature.