Synthesis and characterization of sulfone-containing polyesters derived from 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone by direct polycondensation

Several sulfone-containing polyesters having inherent viscosities 0.43-0.19 dL g^?1 were prepared by direct polycondensation of 4,4′-dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) with various aromatic and aliphatic diols, by p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and N,N′-dimethylformamide in pyridine solution. The polyesters were examined by elementary analysis, IR spectra, inherent viscosity, x-ray diffraction, solubility, DSC, and TGA. The diffraction diagram showed that all polyesters were crystalline except that obtained from bisphenol-A. All polymers were soluble in sulfonic acid (18M), phenol and p-chlorophenol, but not in acetone and toluene. These polymers obtained from aromatic bisphenols lost no mass below 325°C, but 10% loss of mass was recorded above 396°C in nitrogen. DCDPS copolymerized with isophthalic acid (IPA) and bisphenol-A had inherent viscosity up to 0.49 dL g^?1, with relatively narrow distribution of molar mass . © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.