Preparation and properties of aromatic polyamides from 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic diamines

New aromatic dicarboxylic acids having kink and crank structures, 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy) biphenyl and 2,2′-bis(p-carboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl, were synthesized by the reaction of p-fluorobenzonitrile with biphenyl-2,2′-diol and 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, respectively, followed by hydrolysis. Biphenyl-2,2′-diyl-and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.58–1.46 dL/g and 0.63–1.30 dL/g, respectively, were obtained by the low-temperature solution polycondensation of the corresponding diacid chlorides with aromatic diamines. These polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, and pyridine. Transparent, pale yellow, and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP solutions. These aromatic polyamides containing biphenyl and binaphthyl units had glass transition temperatures in the range of 210–272 and 260–315°C, respectively. They began to lose weight around 380°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 450°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and properties of aromatic polyamides from 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy) biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic dicarboxylic acids

New aromatic diamines having kink and crank structures, 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)biphenyl and 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl, were synthesized by the reaction of p-fluoronitrobenzene with biphenyl-2,2′-diol and 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, respectively, followed by catalytic reduction. Biphenyl-2,2′-diyl- and 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyamides having inherent viscosities of 0.44–1.18 and 0.26–0.88 dL/g, respectively, were obtained either by the direct polycondensation or low-temperature solution polycondensation of the diamines with aromatic dicarboxylic acids (or diacid chlorides). These polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, m-cresol, and pyridine. Transparent, pale yellow, and flexible films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP solutions. These aromatic polyamides containing biphenyl and binaphthyl units had glass transition temperatures in the range of 215–255 and 266–303°C, respectively. They began to lose weight at ca. 380°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 470°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and properties of aromatic polyimides from 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)biphenyl or 2,2′-bis)p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides

New aromatic polyimides containing a biphenyl-2,2′-diyl or 1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl unit were prepared by a conventional two-step method starting from 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy) biphenyl or 2,2′-bis(p-aminophenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl and aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydrides. The polyimides having inherent viscosities of 0.69–0.99 and 0.51–0.59 dL/g, respectively, were obtained. Some of these polymers were readily soluble in a variety of organic solvents including N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethyl sulfoxide, and pyridine. Transparent, flexible, and pale yellow to brown films of these polymers could be cast from the DMAc or NMP polyamic acid solutions. These aromatic polyimides containing biphenyl and binaphthyl units had glass transition temperatures in the range of 200–235 and 286–358°C, respectively. They began to lose weight around 380°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 470°C in air. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(Aryl ethers) by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. II. Thermal stability

The thermal stability and degradation process for a specific poly(aryl ether) system have been studied. In particular, the polymer which is available from Union Carbide Corporation as Bakelite polysulfone has been examined in detail. Polysulfone can be prepared from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Because of a low-temperature transition at ? 100°C. and a glass transition at 195°C., polysulfone retains useful mechanical properties from ?100°C. to 175°C. A number of experimental methods were utilized to study the thermal decomposition process for this polymer system. Polysulfone gradually degraded in vacuum above 400°C. as demonstrated by mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis in argon, air, or high vacuum indicated that rapid decomposition began above 460°C. From gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and repeated laboratory pyrolyses, a number of products from polymer decompositions were identified. The most important degradation process in vacuum or inert atmosphere was loss of sulfur dioxide. Several model compounds representative of portions of poly(aryl ether) molecules were synthesized and the relative thermal stabilities determined. Possible mechanisms for pure thermal decomposition of polysulfone were derived from the product analyses, model studies, and consideration of bond dissociation energies.     

Novel thermooxidatively stable poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) and poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole)

4-Hydroxy-5-nitrophthalimides were produced via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) of 4,5-dichloro phthalimide substituents by potassium nitrite. The use of a N-phenyl-phthalimide having a protected 4′-hydroxyl group allows concurrent deprotection and nitro reduction to amine to give the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide. This key intermediate is the precursor to a poly (ether-imide-benzoxazole), and is the condensable monomer for a poly (ester-imide-benzoxazole). Benzoxazole monomer formation via condensation with p-fluorobenzoyl chloride afforded 2-(4′-fluorophenyl)-5,6,-N-[4′(-hydroxyphenyl) imide]-benzoxazole, which was polymerized under NAS conditions to produce a poly(ether-imide-benzoxazole) having an endothermic transition at 454°C with weight retention of 90% at 500°C in both air and nitrogen. Solution polycondensation of the 4-hydroxy-5-amino-N-(4′-hydroxyphenyl) phthalimide monomer with isophthaloyl chloride afforded a poly(ester-amide-imide) which was isolated and thermally cyclodehydrated in the solid state under vacuum to give a poly(ester-imide-benzoxazole) having 95% weight retention at 500°C in both air and nitrogen, with no detectable DSC transitions up to 500°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by pendant azo groups introduced onto γ-poly(glutamic acid)

The grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) onto biosynthesized γ-poly(glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) initiated by pendant azo groups introduced onto γ-PGA was performed. The introduction of pendant azo groups onto γ-PGA was achieved by the reaction of carboxyl groups of γ-PGA with azo initiators having hydroxyl or amino groups, such as 2,2-azobis[2-(hydroxymethyl)propionitrile] (AHP), 2,2′-azobis[2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide] (AMHP), and 2,2′-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] (AIP), using N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The amount of pendant AHP groups introduced onto γ-PGA was estimated to be 0.15 mmol/g. Untreated γ-PGA failed to initiate the polymerization of MMA. On the contrary, the polymerization of MMA was found to be initiated in the presence of γ-PGA having azo groups: the polymerization rate was proportional to the square root of the concentration of γ-PGA having pendant azo groups. During the polymerization PMMA was grafted onto γ-PGA; the percentage of grafting of PMMA onto γ-PGA obtained from the graft polymerization initiated by pendant AHP, AMHP, and AIP groups was evaluated to be 65.0, 53.1, and 29.0%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetric analysis shows that the endotherm transition point of γ-PGA at 220°C disappears by the grafting of PMMA onto the polymer. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

A new single-step process for polybenzimidazole synthesis

Aromatic benzimidazole polymers have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding tetraamine and diester in refluxing sulfolane or phenyl sulfone. The convenience of using these sulfone solvents together with the good yields, high viscosities and absence of crosslinking make this procedure an attractive new route to this class of polymers. The preparation by this procedure of poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole], poly-[2,2′-(p-phenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole], poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-di(benzimidazole) ether], and poly[2,2′-(m-phenylene)-5,5′-di(benzimidazole) ketone] is described.     

Synthesis and properties of soluble aromatic polyimides from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl dianhydride and aromatic diamines

Aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride having crank and twisted noncoplanar structure, 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl dianhydride, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the intermediate bis(ether dinitrile) and subsequent dehydration of the resulting bis(ether diacid). Binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl–containing novel aromatic polyimides having inherent viscosities up to 0.67 dL/g were obtained by the one-step polymerization process starting from the bis(ether anhydride) and various aromatic diamines. All the polyimides showed typical amorphous diffraction patterns. Most of the polyimides were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), and pyridine. These aromatic polyimides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 280–350°C, depending on the nature of the diamine moiety. All polymers were stable up to 400°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded above 485°C in air. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1937–1943, 1998     

The synthesis and thermal curing parameters of a novel quinoxaline monomer with terminal ethynyl thermoset and phenylethynyl intramolecular cycloaddition postcure capability

The Synthesis of 3,3′-bis(4-[3-ethynylphenoxy]phenyl)-7,7′-bis(phenylethynyl)-2,2′-diphenyl-6,6′-biquinoxaline (I) was accomplished by the reaction of 2,2′-bis(phenylethynyl)-5,5′-diaminobenzidine (II) and 4-(3-ethynylphenoxy)benzil. Thermal analysis of I indicated a softening temperature of 107°C, followed by an exotherm above 150°C that corresponded to a independent crosslinking reaction of the terminal acetylene groups and an intramolecular cycloaddition (IMC) reaction of the 2,2′-bis(phenylethynyl)biphenyl moieties. In the synthetic work substantial improvements were made in the synthesis of II. The sample of I was cured at 200°C and the maximum partially cured transition temperature attained was 280°C. A sample of 3,3′-bis(4,[3-ethynylphenoxy]phenyl)-2,2′-diphenyl-6,6′-biquinoxaline (IV) was similarly tested as a model without IMC capability and its corresponding value was 250°C. The difference between these two values is discussed briefly.     

Optically active poly(amide–imide)s containing axially dissymmetric 1,1′-binaphthyl moieties

Novel optically active aromatic poly(amide–imide)s (PAIs) were prepared from newly synthesized 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxybenzamido)-1,1′-binaphthyl dianhydride ((+ )-, (S)-, and (R)-BNDADA). PAIs based on dianhydride monomers with different ee % were investigated with respect to their structures and chiroptical properties. These polymers were highly soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, pyridine, etc., and showed high glass transition temperatures of 287–290°C and 5% weight loss temperatures of 450–465°C in nitrogen. Optically active PAIs exhibited high specific rotations, excellent optical stabilities, and a dependence of optical activities on temperature. Investigations on chiroptical properties indicated that chiral conformation was possessed by optically active PAIs. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 3147–3154, 1999     

Preparation and properties of new soluble aromatic polyimides from 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)biphenyl dianhydride and aromatic diamines

A new aromatic tetracarboxylic dianhydride having a crank and twisted noncoplannar structure, 2,2′-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenoxy)biphenyl dianhydride, was synthesized by the reaction of 4-nitrophthalonitrile with biphenyl-2,2′-diol, followed by hydrolysis and cyclodehydration. The biphenyl-2,2′-diyl-containing aromatic polyimides having inherent viscosities up to 0.66 dL/g were obtained by the conventional two-step procedure starting from the dianhydride monomer and various aromatic diamines. Most of the polyimides were readily soluble in amide-type solvents such as N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The aromatic polyimides had glass transition temperatures in the range of 205–242°C, and began to lose weight around 415°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at about 500°C in air. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2021–2027, 1998     

N-(monohalogenphenyl) maleimides and their copolymers with styrene and butadiene

N-(Monohalogenphenyl)maleamic acids (I) and N-(monohalogenphenyl) maleimides (II) which contained bromide or chlorine atoms in the 2-, 3-, or 4-position of the phenyl ring and their respective isoimides (III) were prepared. The radical copolymerization of Pairs II + styrene and II + butadiene in benzene solution initiated with 2,2′-azobisisobutyronitrile at 50°C was used to determine the monomer reactivity ratios of II. Their values, which are close to zero, indicated an alternating addition of the two monomers on the polymer radical. The thermal stability of the copolymers was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis; their flammability was determined by the method of limiting oxygen index. The copolymerizability of III with styrene and isobutylene was verified at 30°C.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(amic acid)s and polyimides based on 2,2′,6,6′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs) having the high solution stability and transmittance at 365 nm for photosensitive polyimides have been developed. PAAs with a twisted conformation in the main chains were prepared from 2,2′,6,6′‐biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (2,2′,6,6′‐BPDA) and aromatic diamines. Imidization of PAAs was achieved by chemical treatment using trifluoroacetic anhydride. Among them, the PAA derived from 2,2′,6,6′‐BPDA and 4,4′‐(1,3‐phenylenedioxy)dianiline was converted to the polyimide by thermal treatment. The heating at 300 °C under nitrogen did not complete thermal imidization of PAAs having glass‐transition temperatures (T_g)s higher than 300 °C to the corresponding PIs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6385–6393, 2006     

Polypyrazolinones from aromatic di(propynoic ester)s and aromatic dihydrazines

Novel polypyrazolinones with inherent viscosities ranging from 0.12 to 0.44 dL/g were prepared by the Michael-type nucleophilic addition-cyclization of various dihydrazines with 3,3′-(1,3- or 1,4-phenylene)bis(ethyl propynoate) (1,3- or 1,4-PEP) and 3,3′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(phenyl propynoate) (1,4-PPhP) in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) solution at 25–110°C. The polymers exhibited moderate thermal stability with initial weight loss in air about 200°C and in nitrogen about 300°C (TGA). No apparent T_g′s were observed by DSC analysis. The synthesis and characterization of the polypyrazolinones is discussed.     

Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of 2-(4′-alkoxybiphenyl-4-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives

Three series of 2-(4′-alkoxybiphenyl-4-yl)-1H-benzimidazole derivatives (nM-x), which possessed 5-nitrobenzimidazole (nM-N series), benzimidazole (nM-H series) or 5-methylbenzimidazole (nM-M series) units at the end of the molecule, were synthesised and characterised by infrared, ¹H- and ¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Their phase transition behaviour was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. All the compounds exhibited enantiotropic smectic mesophases with wide temperature domains for a carbon number in the alkoxy chain from 6 to 16, where the mesophase ranges were 14–91°C and 17–99°C during heating and cooling processes for the nM-N compounds, 7–25°C and 8–49°C for the nM-H compounds and 48–81°C and 52–85°C for the nM-M compounds, respectively. The effect of the length of alkoxy chain on mesomorphic properties was discussed. The nM-N and nM-M exhibited a much wider mesophase range whether during heating or cooling process than the corresponding nM-H series, especially for the longer terminal chain (n > 8), which indicated that the substituent in the benzimidazole moiety was helpful in increasing the mesophase stability.     

Synthesis and properties of polyimides,polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s from ether diamine having the spirobichroman structure

A novel spirobichroman unit containing dietheramine, 6,6′-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman ( 3 ), was prepared by the nucleophilic substitution of 6,6′-dihydroxy-4,4,4′,4′,7,7′-hexamethyl-2,2′-spirobichroman with p-chloronitrobenzene in the presence of K₂CO₃ followed by hydrazine catalytic reduction of the intermediate dinitro compound. A series of polyimides were synthesized from diamine 3 and various aromatic dianhydrides by a conventional two-stage procedure through the formation of poly(amic-acid)s followed by thermal imidization. The intermediate poly(amic-acid)s had inherent viscosities of 1.00–2.78 dL/g. All the poly-(amic-acid)s could be thermally cyclodehydrated into flexible and tough polyimide films, and some polyimides were soluble in polar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). These polyimides had glass transition temperatures (T_g) in the range of 236–256°C, and 10% weight loss occurred up to 450°C. Furthermore, a series of polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s with inherent viscosities of 0.71–2.29 dL/g were prepared by direct polycondensation of the diamine 3 with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids and imide ring-containing dicarboxylic acids by means of triphenyl phosphite and pyridine. All the polyamides and poly(amide-imide)s were readily soluble in polar solvents such as DMAc, and tough and flexible films could be cast from their DMAc solutions. These polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 137–228°C and 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 419–443°C in air and 404–436°C in nitrogen, respectively. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 1487–1497, 1997     

Synthesis of novel colorless polyimides from benzimidazole diamines with various linearity

To synthesize colorless superheat-resistant polyimide films, one of the valid approaches is the incorporation of the asymmetric and warped structures in the main chain. Applying this approach on 5(6)-amino-2-(4-aminobenzene)benzimidazole (PABZ) and changing its linearity, 6, 5′-diamine-2′-methyl-1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole (5a) and 6, 3′-diamine-2′-methyl-1-methyl-2-phenylbenzimidazole (5b) were devised and synthesized successfully, then polymerized with 1,2,4,5-cyclohexanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (HPMDA). The prepared poly(benzimidazole imide)s (PBIIs) with the rigid main chain and loose packing had the excellent heat-resistant level (T_g > 400°C) and optical properties (T₄₀₀ > 80%). Besides, the alterations resulting from various linearities were discussed comprehensively. This research is beneficial to the application of optical field, providing a promising candidate of heat-resistant colorless materials.     

Polyimides derived from 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)propane

The diamine 1,2-bis(4-aminophenoxy)propane, containing the flexible 1,4-dioxa-2-methylbutyl-ene unit, was synthesized. Polyimidization was carried out with 5,5′-[2,2,2-trifluoro-(trifluoromethyl)ethylidine]bis-1,3-isobenzofurandione in m-cresol employing toluene as azeotroping agent to yield a polyimide that was soluble in a variety of solvents and had an inherent viscosity of 0.84 dL/g in N,N-dimethylformamide. Poly(amic acid) formation with pyromellitic dianhydride, 4,4′-carbonyldiphthalic anhydride, and 5,5′-[ethanediylbis(oxy)]-bis-1,3-isobenzofurandione was carried out in N,N-dimethylformamide with imidization completed by heating at 160°C for 24 h under vacuum. All of the polyimides exhibited a 5% weight loss in air and in helium by 420°C.     

Graft polymerization of allyl benzoate using poly(allyl benzoate-co-2,2′-azobis[N-(2-propenyl)-2-methylpropionamide]) as polymeric azo-initiator

2,2′-Azobis[N-(2-propenyl)-2-methylpropionamide] (APMPA), a diallyl azo-compound useful as an initiator at elevated temperatures, was copolymerized with allyl benzoate (ABz) at 60°C, providing poly(ABz-co-APMPA) which acts as a polymeric azo-initiator. The effectiveness of poly(ABz-co-APMPA) to give a novel graft copolymer was checked by polymerizing ABz at 120°C and, furthermore, by the polymerization of styrene accompanied by crosslinking through termination by bimolecular combination.     

Synthesis and properties of noncoplanar rigid‐rod aromatic polyhydrazides and poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s containing phenyl or naphthyl substituents

Two new phenyl‐ and naphthyl‐substituted rigid‐rod aromatic dicarboxylic acid monomers, 2,2′‐diphenylbiphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid ( 4 ) and 2,2′‐di(1‐naphthyl)biphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid ( 5 ), were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction of 2,2′‐diiodobiphenyl‐4,4′‐dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester with benzeneboronic acid and naphthaleneboronic acid, respectively, followed by alkaline hydrolysis of the ester groups. Four new polyhydrazides were prepared from the dicarboxylic acids 4 and 5 with terephthalic dihydrazide (TPH) and isophthalic dihydrazide (IPH), respectively, via the Yamazaki phosphorylation reaction. These polyhydrazides were amorphous and readily soluble in many organic solvents. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) indicated that these hydrazide polymers had glass transition temperatures in the range of 187–234 °C and could be thermally cyclodehydrated into the corresponding oxadiazole polymers in the range of 300–400 °C. The resulting poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s exhibited T_g's in the range of 252–283 °C, 10% weight‐loss temperature in excess of 470 °C, and char yield at 800 °C in nitrogen higher than 54%. These organo‐soluble polyhydrazides and poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)s exhibited UV–Vis absorption maximum at 262–296 and 264–342 nm in NMP solution, and their photoluminescence spectra showed maximum bands around 414–445 and 404–453 nm, respectively, with quantum yield up to 38%. The electron‐transporting properties were examined by electrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of the poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole) films cast onto an indium‐tin oxide (ITO)‐coated glass substrate exhibited reversible reduction redox with E_onset at ?1.37 to ?1.57 V versus Ag/AgCl in dry N,N‐dimethylformamide solution. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6466–6483, 2006