Abstract: | Several polyesters containing thiaxanthone rings were prepared from 2,7-dichloroformylthiaxanthone-5,5′-dioxide ( IVa ), 2,8-dichloroformylthiaxanthone-5,5′-dioxide ( IVb ), and bisphenols by solution polycondensation. The 2,8-diethoxycarbonylthiaxanthone-5,5′-dioxide ( V ) was prepared and characterized by spectral methods to confirm the formation of 2,8-thiaxanthonedicarboxylic acid-5,5′-dioxide ( IVb ). Prior to polymer synthesis two model compounds,2,7-diphenoxycarbonylthiaxanthone-5,5′-dioxide (MDE-1) and 2,8-diphenoxycarbonylthiaxanthone-5,5′-dioxide (MDE-2), were synthesized and characterized by spectral methods. The polyesters were obtained in 62–78% yield and had inherent viscosities in the range 0.42–0.90 dL/g. The effect of thiaxanthone rings on solubility, crystallinity, and thermal stability of the polyesters are also discussed. The polyesters have decomposition temperatures in the range 372–438°C. |