Hitherto unreported aromatic polyorthocarbonates have been synthesized by the reaction of dichlorodiphenoxymethane and various aromatic dihydroxy compounds. The polymers possess the structure of a methanetetra-ol ether (carbonic acid orthoester) in the main chain. The direct structural evidence was obtained by 13C NMR. High molecular weight, linear polyorthocarbonates were derived from sterically unhindered bisphenols. The polymers were noncrystalline, and clear, flexible films were obtained by casting from solution. Aromatic polyorthocarbonates decomposed above 360°C under nitrogen. The polymers were extremely stable under basic conditions but were unstable in strongly acidic media, particularly at elevated temperatures.
