| Abstract: | A new diamine, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]norbornane (BAPN), containing both ether and norbornane cardo groups, was synthesized in three steps started from norcamphor. A series of cardo polyamides were obtained by the direct polycondensation of BAPN and various aromatic dicarboxylic acids in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. Polyamides had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.82–1.58 dL g−1, and were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents such as NMP, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N,N-dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. These polymers were cast in DMAc solution into transparent, flexible, and tough films that were further characterized by X-ray and mechanical analysis. All the polymers were amorphous, and the polyamide films had a tensile strength range of 71–89 MPa, an elongation at break range of 5–9%, and a tensile modulus range of 2.0–2.3 GPa. Polyamides showed glass transition temperatures in the range of 256–296°C as measured by DSC and thermogravimetric analysis indicated no weight loss below 450°C in nitrogen and air atmosphere. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2791–2794, 1999 |
