Synthesis and characterization of phenyl-pendant aromatic polythiazoles from bis-α-bromophenylacetyl compounds and dithioamides

Novel phenyl-pendant aromatic polythiazoles having inherent viscosities of 0.3–1.3 dL/g were synthesized by the solution polycondensation of bis[4-(α-bromophenylacetyl)phenyl] ether with aromatic dithioamides or dithiooxamide in dimethylformamide at 60°C. The polythiazole having m-phenylene linkage was readily soluble in chloroform and m-cresol, and transparent flexible film could be cast from the chloroform solution. Glass transition temperatures of these polythiazoles were in the range of 210–250°C. They started to decompose at about 500°C in air with 10% weight loss being recorded at around 570°C.