Studies on thermotropic liquid crystalline elastomers. I. Synthesis and properties of poly (amide-ester) elastomers

Three series of novel poly(amide-ester) (PAE) elastomers were prepared by direct poly-condensation from terephthalic acid (TPA), polyols (M_n = 1000 or 2000), and various diamines. The structures and thermal properties of the synthesized PAEs were examined by FTIR spectroscopy, wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calo-rimetry (DSC), thermal optical polarized microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The effects of kinds and amount of diamines and the molecular weight of polyols on the thermal properties of PAEs were studied. By introducing long flexible spacers (PE-1000 or PE-2000) into the polymer main chain, all polymers showed two-phase morphology under the thermal optical microscopic observation. It was interesting that most of the synthesized polymers exhibited only one melting transition corresponding to the soft segments. The melting transition of hard segments could not be detected due to decomposition of the soft segments. However, a thermotropic liquid crystalline PAE (TLCPAE) prepared from methylhydroquinone and 2-chloro-5-methyl-phenylenediamine with PE-1000 could be obtained by lowering the melting transition temperature of the hard segment. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

P-V-T properties of alternating poly(ethylene-propylene) liquids

The pressure-volume-temperature (P-V-T) properties of monodisperse alternating poly(ethylene-propylene) (hydrogenated polyisoprene) melts of varying molecular weights are measured at 0.1 MPa < P < 200.1 MPa, and 290 K < T < 510 K in a dilatometer-type apparatus. The Flory-Orwoll-Vrij (FOV), Modified Cell Model (MCM), Sanchez-Lacombe (SL), and the Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT) equations of state are found to correlate the experimental data with excellent accuracy, except either at low pressures and high temperatures, or at high pressures and low temperatures. On average, MCM and SAFT fit the data slightly better than FOV and SL. The equation-of-state parameters are found to be independent of molecular weight, especially for SAFT, as required by the theory. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of high-molecular-weight poly(amide-ester)s by direct polycondensation with diphenyl chlorophosphate

High molecular weight aromatic poly(amide-ester)s were prepared by the direct polycondensation reactions between aromatic dicarboxylic acids and aminophenols under mild conditions in pyridine. The condensing agents examined in this study were diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP), DPCP/LiCl, and DPCP/DMF. Addition time of the aminophenols, depending on their nucleophilicities, affected the η_inh values and monomer sequence of the resulting polymer. Their thermal properties were studied in terms of the sequences in the polymer backbones.     

Studies on the thermotropic liquid-crystalline polymer. VIII. Synthesis and properties of fully aromatic poly(ester)s and poly(amide-ester)s containing p-phenylene diacrylic group

Three series of polymers containing p-phenylene diacrylic group were prepared by direct polycondensation in the presence of diphenylchlorophosphate and pyridine. Series I was prepared from p-phenylene bis(acrylic acid) with various hydroquinones. Series II was prepared from p-phenylene bis (β-cyano acrylic acid) with methylhydroquinone. Series III was prepared from 3-methyl-4-aminophenol with p-phenylene bis(acrylic acid) or p-phenylene bis(β-cyano acrylic acid), respectively. The phase behavior of these polymers was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy equipped with a heating stage, and wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD). It was found that these polymers, except IIIb , exhibit thermotropic liquid-crystalline properties and show threaded or Schlieren texture under the optical polarizing microscopic observation. Furthermore, the melting temperatures of these polymers were decreased in the range of 254–354°C by incorporating with p-phenylene diacrylic group into the main chain. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of alternating polystyrene/poly(ethyleneoxide) branched polymacromonomers

Newly designed PS/PEO alternating branched polymacromonomers have been obtained by polycondensation of alpha-dicarboxy-functionalized polystyrene and alpha-dihydroxy-functionalized polyethyleneoxide. 4-[3,5-Bis(methoxycarbonyl)phenoxymethyl]benzyl bromide was used as atom-transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator for the synthesis of alpha-dicarboxy functionalized polystyrenes. These macromonomers possess low polydispersities and molecular weights in the range of 7000 to 100,000, as proved by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and 1H NMR. Alpha-dihydroxy functionalized polyethyleneoxide (PEO) was synthesized by treatment of monofunctionalized PEO with 3,5-bis(benzyloxy)benzoyl chloride. Polycondensation of the alpha-dicarboxy PS with the alpha-dihydroxy PEO in solution or in bulk resulted in alternating PS/PEO polymacromonomers, which were effectively purified from the unreacted macromonomers and characterized by using 1H NMR, GPC, thermal analysis, and optical microscopy. Light-scattering measurements in organic solvents like THF or dioxane have shown that these polymacromonomers form stable micelles.     

Dilute solution properties of poly(styrene acrylonitrile) alternating copolymer

Kuhn-Mark-Houwink-Sakurada relations were obtained in methyl ethyl ketone N,N-di-methylformamide and dichlorethane at 30 for (styrene acrylonitrile) alternating copolymer. The values of the unperturbed dimensions. [K₀ or (r_o^?2/M)^1/2] and conformational parameter σ have been determined, using several graphical and semiempirical methods, and the results were compared with the direct determinations in a θ solvent. The best values for K_θ were obtained using the methods of Stockmayer-Fixman and Inagaki-Suzuki-Kurata. By comparing the values of σ for polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, random and alternating (styrene-acrylonitrile) copolymers, it is to be concluded that the short-range interactions do not markedly influence the chain dimensions in solutions for random and alternating (styrene-acrylonitrile) copolymers.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(carbonate‐urethane) consisting of alternating carbonate and urethane moieties

Poly(carbonate‐urethane) consisting of alternating carbonate and urethane moieties (poly(HC‐MDI)) was prepared by polyaddition of 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and a monocarbonate diol bis(3‐hydroxypropyl)carbonate (HC), prepared by hydrolysis of a six‐membered spiroorthocarbonate 1,5,7,11‐tetraoxa‐spiro[5.5]undecane. The polyaddition proceeds without concomitant side reactions including carbonate exchange reaction and affords the desired poly(carbonate‐urethane). The hydrolysis and thermal behaviors of poly(HC‐MDI) were compared with those of the analogous polyurethane carrying no carbonate structure (poly(ND‐MDI)) prepared from MDI and 1,9‐nonanediol (ND). Although the glass transition behaviors are almost identical, poly(HC‐MDI) is less crystalline than poly(ND‐MDI). Poly(HC‐MDI) is more susceptible to hydrolysis than poly(ND‐MDI) probably due to the higher polarity and the lower crystallinity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2802–2808, 2006     

Synthesis and properties of new organosoluble and alternating aromatic poly(ester-amide-imide)s with pendant phosphorus groups

New phosphorus-containing aromatic diesteramines, 1,4-bis(4-aminobenzoyloxy)-2-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)naphthalene (p- 3 ) and 1,4-bis(3-aminobenzoyloxy)-2-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)naphthalene (m- 3 ), were synthesized by the reaction of 2-(6-oxido-6H-dibenz〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxaphosphorin-6-yl)-1,4-naphthalenediol with 4-nitrobenzoyl chloride and 3-nitrobenzoyl chloride, respectively, followed by catalytic reduction. Two series of phosphorus-containing aromatic poly(ester-amide-imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.94–2.00 and 0.41–0.56 dL/g were prepared via low-temperature solution polycondensation from p- 3 and m- 3 , respectively, with three imide ring-preformed diacid chlorides. All the poly(ester-amide-imide)s were amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). Transparent, tough, and flexible films of these polymers were cast from DMAc or NMP solutions. Their casting films possessed a tensile strength range of 118–181 MPa, an elongation to break of 5–11%, and an initial modulus range of 2.41–4.46 GPa. They had useful levels of thermal stability associated with relatively high glass-transition temperatures (264–286 °C) and 10% weight-loss temperatures in excess of 450 °C in nitrogen or air. The limiting oxygen indices of these polymers were 41–46. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1786–1799, 2001     

Regularly alternating poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains: Synthesis and characterization

Two new aromatic diamines containing preformed amide linkages, viz., N,N′-(4-pentadecyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(4-aminobenzamide) I and N,N′-(4-pentadecyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(3-aminobenzamide) II, were synthesized by reaction of 4-pentadecylbenzene-1,3-diamine with 4-nitrobenzoylchloride and 3-nitrobenzoylchloride, followed by reduction of the respective dinitro derivatives. A series of new poly(amideimide)s was synthesized by polycondensation of I and II with four commercially available aromatic dianhydrides, viz., pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA), 4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA), 4,4′-oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA), and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6-FDA) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) employing conventional two step method via poly(amic acid) intermediate followed by thermal imidization. Reference poly(amideimide)s were synthesized by polycondensation of N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bis(4-aminobenzamide) and N,N′-(1,3-phenylene)bis(3-aminobenzamide) with the same aromatic dianhydrides. Inherent viscosities of poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were in the range 0.37-1.23 dL/g in N,N-dimethylacetamide at 30 ± 0.1 °C indicating the formation of medium to high molecular weight polymers. The poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were found to be soluble in N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and pyridine and could be cast into transparent, flexible and tough films from their N,N-dimethylacetamide solution. Wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited broad halo indicating that the polymers were essentially amorphous in nature. X-ray diffractograms also displayed sharp reflection in the small angle region (2θ ≈ 3°) for poly(amideimide)s containing pentadecyl chains indicating the formation of layered structure arising from packing of flexible pentadecyl chains. The glass transition temperatures observed for reference poly(amideimide)s were in the range 331-275 °C and those for poly(amideimide)s containing pendent pentadecyl chains were in the range 185-286 °C indicating a large drop in T_g owing to the “internal plasticization” effect of pentadecyl chains. The temperature at 10% weight loss (T₁₀), determined by TGA in nitrogen atmosphere, were in the range 460-480 °C indicating their good thermal stability.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(aniline-co-azidoaniline)

Copolymers of polyaniline and o-azidoaniline were synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization. The copolymers were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV/Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermal activation of the azido chromophore in the copolymer caused it to react and cross-link into adjacent polymer chains. The cross-linking of the copolymers was indicated by the depletion of the azido band in the FT-IR spectrum. The effects of the cross-linking were studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and four-probe conductivity. The TGA showed that the thermal stability of the copolymers is improved due to cross-linking. However, the increased thermal stability is accompanied by a decrease in electrical conductivity due to the loss of conjugation detected by UV/Vis spectroscopy and a loss of crystallinity due to the azido substituents, which was demonstrated by XRD.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(dimethylxylylenylamides)

Poly(dimethylxylylenylamides) were synthesized from six different diphenylenediamenes and two dimethyl-substituted xylylenyldiacid chlorides by solution polycondensation at low temperature. The model compound 2,5-demethyl1,4-benzediacetanilide was synthesized and characterized by infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The polyamides were characterized by IR and viscosity measurements. Some of the polyamides showed crystalline behavior in the x-ray diffractograms. The polyamdes have decomposition temperatures in the range 370–310°C in air and are soluble in all amide solvents. The effects of subsituents on crystallinity, thermal stability, and solubility of the polymides are also discussed.     

Studies on thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers. XVI. Synthesis and properties of fully aromatic poly(amide-ester)s with naphthalene structures

A series of novel, fully aromatic high-molecular-weight poly(amide-ester)s was prepared by the direct polycondensation from terephthalic acid (TPA) and 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxlic acid (NDC) with various aromatic diols and diamines in the presence of diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP), LiCl, and pyridine. The structures and thermal properties of these synthesized poly(amide-ester)s were examined by FTIR, wide-angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal polarized optical microscope, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The effects of the kinds of the aromatic diols and diamines (bisphenyl units, naphthalene, and (un)substituted phenylene structures) on the thermal properties of the synthesized poly(amide-ester)s were investigated in this study. Strong interchain interactions were induced by using a 50:50 molar ratio of the amide groups to the ester groups, and, thus, no LC properties but good thermal stabilities were found in all of the synthesized poly(amide-ester)s containing naphthalene, substituted hydroquinone, or bisphenol segments in this study. However, another series of poly(amide-ester)s with a molar ratio of diamine to diol of 20:80 exhibited excellent mesophase stabilities, with various molar ratio of terephthalic acid (TPA) to 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxlic acid (NDC). © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of side-chain regioregular and main-chain alternating poly(bichalcogenophene)s and an ABC-type periodic poly(terchalcogenophene)

Three unsymmetrical diiodobichalcogenophenes SSeI2, STeI2, and SeTeI2 and a diiodoterchalcogenophene SSeTeI2 were prepared. Grignard metathesis of SSeI2, STeI2, SeTeI2, and SSeTeI2 occurred regioselectively at the lighter chalcogenophene site because of its relatively lower electron density and less steric bulk. Nickel-catalyzed Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation of these Mg species provided a new class of side-chain regioregular and main-chain AB-type alternating poly(bichalcogenophene)s—PSSe, PSTe, and PSeTe—through a chain-growth mechanism. The ring-walking of the Ni catalyst from the lighter to the heavier chalcogenophene facilitated subsequent oxidative addition, thereby suppressing the possibility of chain-transfer or chain-termination. More significantly, the Ni catalyst could walk over the distance of three rings (ca. 1 nm)—from a thiophene unit via a selenophene unit to a tellurophene unit—to form PSSeTe, the first ABC-type regioregular and periodic poly(terchalcogenophene) comprising three different types of 3-hexylchalcogenophenes.

Three unsymmetrical diiodobichalcogenophenes SSeI2, STeI2, and SeTeI2 and a diiodoterchalcogenophene SSeTeI2 were prepared to synthesize a new class of polychalcogenophenes with precisely controlled sequences by catalyst-transfer polycondensation.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide)

The preparation and cyclopolymerization of dipropargyl sulfoxide were studied. The polymerization of dipropargyl sulfoxide was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. WCl₆–EtAlCl₂, MoCl₅, and PdCl₂ catalyst systems were very effective. The resulting poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) structures were characterized by NMR (¹H and ¹³C), IR, and elemental analysis to have conjugated polyene units. Poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) prepared by PdCl₂ was mostly soluble in organic solvents such as DMF and DMSO. Thermal and oxidative properties of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) were also studied. The electrical conductivity of iodine-doped poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) was 5.2 × 10^?2 Ω^?1 cm^?1. Comparisons of poly(dipropargyl sulfoxide) properties with other similar polymers from dipropargyl sulfur derivatives such as dipropargyl sulfide and dipropargyl sulfone were also carried out. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(silylenephenylenevinylene)s

Polymerization of o-, m-, and p-(dimethylsilyl)phenylacetylene by chloroplatinic acid-catalyzed hydrosilylation gave the corresponding poly(dimethylsilylenephenylenevinylene)s. The monomer reactivity and polymer structure were very much dependent upon the substituent position. Interesting optical behavior and thermal properties were observed which suggested the polymers to be useful as preceramic materials. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2263–2273, 1999     

Synthesis and properties of poly(imide-sulfonate)s

Polycondensations of N,N′-bis(hydroxyalkyl)pyromellitic diimides, N,N′-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-pyromellitic diimides, N,N′-bis(hydroxyalkyl)-3,3′,4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diimides and N,N′-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-3,3′-4,4′-benzophenonetetracarboxylic diimides with aromatic disulfonyl chlorides were carried out in pyridine to produce poly(imide-sulfonate)s. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.25–0.38 dL/g. These poly(imide-sulfonate)s were insoluble in common organic solvents and had relatively good thermal stability. The TGA data showed 10% weight losses at 253–365°C and residual weights at 500°C were 22–72% in nitrogen.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(hydroxyurethane)s

Bis(cyclic Carbonate)s 1 were prepared by the reaction of bis(epoxide)s and atmospheric pressure of CO₂ in the presence of sodium iodide and triphenylphosphine as catalysts at 100°C in high yield. Polyaddition of 1 and hexamethylenediamine ( 2a ) or dodecamethylenediamine ( 2b ) in dimethylsulfoxide or N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at 70 or 100°C for 24 h afforded corresponding poly(hydroxyurethane)s with M?_n 20,000–30,000. When ethylenediamine ( 2c ) or 1,3-propanediamine ( 2d ) was used as a diamine, poly(hydroxyurethane)s with lower molecular weight were obtained. The presence of water, methanol, or ethyl acetate in the solvent had little effect on the M?_n of the polymer obtained, because of the high chemoselectivity of the reaction of the five-membered cyclic carbonate and amine. Polyaddition of bis(cyclic carbonate) bearing ester groups and 2a also afforded the corresponding poly(hydroxyurethane) without aminolysis of the ester groups. Poly(hydroxyurethane) 3 obtained from the bis(cyclic carbonate) derived from bisphenol A was less soluble in organic solvents than model polyurethane 8 having no hydroxy groups obtained from 4,4′-isopropylidenebis(2-hydroxyethoxybenzene) and hexamethylene diisocyanate, and was thermally stable as well as 8.3 easily undertook crosslinking at room temperature by the treatment with hexamethylene diisocyanate or aluminium triisopropoxide in DMAc or tetrahydrofuran. The gel crosslinked by aluminium triisopropoxide regenerated the original polymer at room temperature by treatment with 1.5 equiv of 1.2M HCl in N-methylpyrollidinone for 1 h. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of new poly(azomethinesters)

Polyesters containing azomethine groups in the main chain and having the general formula

X = aryl or alkyl group have been prepared. The relationship between structure and thermal stability was studied. Some of the new polyesters behave as thermotropic liquid crystals.     

Synthesis and properties of germanium-containing poly(diphenylacetylenes)

1-Phenyl-2-[m-(trimethylgermyl)phenyl]acetylene (m-Me₃GeDPA) and 1-phenyl-2-[p-(trimethylgermyl)phenyl]acetylene (p-Me₃GeDPA) polymerized with TaCl₅–cocatalyst systems to provide in high yields new polymers having weight-average molecular weights over 1 × 10⁶. Poly(m-Me₃GeDPA) was a yellow solid, which completely dissolved in toluene, chloroform, etc., to form a tough film by solution casting. Poly(p-Me₃GeDPA) was also a yellow solid and partly insoluble in any solvents. The onset temperatures of weight loss for these polymers in the thermogravimetric analysis in air were as high as ca. 400°C. The oxygen permeability coefficient of poly(m-Me₃GeDPA) was 1100 barrers (25°C), which is about twice that of poly(dimethylsiloxane). © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.