Synthesis of N-(arylmethyl)diethanolamines and of other pyrenediols: Addition polymerizations of pyrenyl monomers

N-(Arylmethyl)diethanolamines and other spaced dihydroxy compounds bearing pyrenyl groups were prepared using benzotriazole as a synthetic auxiliary. The potential of these diols as precursors for the preparation of condensation polymers containing pendant polycyclic aryl groups was illustrated by reaction of the pyrenyl derivatives with diisocyanates which afforded the corresponding polyurethane polymers.