Abstract: | ABSTRACT An interesting new class of polyketones based on diarylidene derivatives were synthesized by Friedel-Crafts reaction of 2,7-dibenzylidenecycloheptanone (I) and dibenzylideneacetone (II) monomers, with different diacid chlorids including: isophthalic, terephthalic, 3,3′-azodibenzoic, 4,4′-azodibenzoic, biphenic, adipic, sebacic and oxalic diacids in dry dichloromethane solvent and AlCl3 catalyst. The model compounds were synthesized by reacting I and II with benzoyl chloride and characterized by 1H-NMR, IR and elemental analyses. The polyketones were insoluble in most organic solvents but dissolved easily in concentrated sulfuric acid. The thermal properties of these polymers were evaluated and correlated to their structural units by TGA, DTG measurements and had inherent viscosity up to 0.36–0.84 dI/g. The crystallinity of some polymers were tested by X-ray analysis. The electronic spectra of selected examples were measured in DMSO solution and the morphological properties were detected by SEM. |