Abstract: | A series of semi-aromatic poly(ether-ester)s containing cinnamic group was prepared from 4,4′-diacrylic acid-α,ω-phenoxyalkanes with diols in the presence of diphenylchlorophosphate (DPCP) and pyridine as a catalyst and solvent. 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). All of the poly(ether-ester)s, except P3 , show nematic or smectic thermotropic liquid crystalline behaviour under optical polarizing microscopic observation. These polymers can undergo photocrosslinking reaction upon heating, as examined by IR, solubility, and DSC analysis. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |