| Abstract: | Two series of new linear polyesters containing sulfur in the main chain were obtained by melt polycondensation of naphthalene-1,4-bis(methylthioacetic acid) (N-1,4-BMTAA) or naphthalene-1,5-bis(methylthioacetic acid) (N-1,5-BMTAA) with some aliphatic diols using a 0.05 molar excess of diol. Softening temperatures ranging from 55 to 130°C, reduced viscosities in the range of 0.15–0.39 dL/g, and low-molecular weights were their characteristic. The structure and thermal properties of all polyesters were examined by using elemental analysis, FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorymetry (DSC). The kinetics of polyester formation by uncatalyzed melt polycondensation was studied in a model system: N-1,4-BMTAA or N-1,5-BMTAA and 2,2′-oxydiethanol (ODE) at 150, 160, and 170°C. Reaction rate constants (k3) and activation parameters (ΔG?, ΔH?, ΔS?) from carboxyl group loss were determined using classical kinetic methods. Hydroxyl-terminated polyesters derived from 1,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, and 1,6-hexanediol were used for preparation of the polyurethanes by melt polyaddition with hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). They were characterized by reduced viscosity, FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, TGA, DSC, polarizing microscope observation, and hardness and tensile properties. The resulting polyurethanes behave like high-elasticity thermoplastic elastomers, except the one derived from N-1,5-BMTAA and 1,6-hexanediol-based polyester. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2359–2369, 1998 |
