Synthesis and characterization of cardo polysulfonates of phenolphthalein

Cardo polysulfonates have been synthesized by condensing phenolphthalein (0.01 mol) with 4,4^′-diphenyl disulfonyl chloride/4,4^′-diphenyl ether disulfonyl chloride/4,4^′-diphenyl methane disulfonyl chloride/3,3^′-benzophenone disulfonyl chloride (0.01 mol) by using water-1,2-dichloroethane (2:1 v/v) as an acid acceptor and 0.2% CTAB as an interphase, alkali (0.02 mol) as an emulsifier. The reaction time and temperature were 3 h and 0 °C, respectively. IR and NMR spectral data support the structures. Polysulfonates possess excellent solubility in common organic solvents except PHDPM, moderate to comparable antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, good hydrolytic stability towards acids, alkalis and salt, moderate tensile strength (24-50 N/mm²), high T_g (212-228 °C), excellent thermal stability (316-388 °C), excellent volume resistivity (3-13×10¹⁵ Ohm cm), good to excellent electric strength (12-41 kV/mm) and good dielectric constant (1.4-1.8).