| Abstract: | A series of fully aromatic, thermotropic homopolyesters, derived from 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid and various aromatic diols, was prepared by the melt polycondensation method and examined for thermotropic behavior by a variety of experimental techniques. The aromatic diols used in the study were hydroquinone, 2,6-, 1,4-, 1,5-, 2,3-, and 2,7-naphthalenediol isomers. All of the homopolyesters of 3,4′-benzophenone dicarboxylic acid with aromatic diols (except that with 2,7-naphthalenediol) formed a nematic LC phase in the melt. They had the glass transition temperatures (Tg) in the range of 133–164°C, the melting transitions (Tm) in the range 305–360°C and the high thermal stabilities (Td) in the range of 410–483°C. The 2,6-naphthalenediol based homopolymer had the highest Tm (360°C) and the 2,3-naphthalenediol based homopolymer had the lowest Tm (305°C) among all of the homopolymers of naphthalenediol isomers. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
