Synthesis,structure, and properties of aromatic polysulfides

Polycondensation of haloaromatics and sodium sulfide has been studied. An increase in reactivity of functional groups, a change of the composition of the elementary polymeric unit with a change of the relative amounts of the monomers, and a key role of side-reactions, i.e. intra(molecular) and macrocyclisation, have been revealed. Low-melting isomeric poly(phenylene sulfides), as well as their derivatives, reactive telechelic oligomers, have been prepared. New methods of preparation of poly(arene sulfides) by transarylation of diphenyl sulfide, polymerisation of cyclic aromatic sulfides, or by direct polycondensation of arenes with sulfur under the action of AlCl₃, as well as by polycondensation of aniline with sulfur in the absence of catalysts have been suggested. Structures and properties of newly prepared polymers have been studied.