Synthesis of soluble polyarylates with a propeller-like structure via Diels-Alder reaction

Soluble propeller-like polyarylates with M¯_n ≈ 1 × 10⁴ and melting in the range 200–220°C were synthesized via one-pot simultaneous Diels-Alder (using anthracene or (E,E)-1,4-diphenylbutadiene as enophile and the fumaroyl moiety as dienophile) and polycondensation reaction. Thermal properties of all polyarylates were evaluated. Decomposition occurs in two steps between approximately 300–400°C. The first step is due to retro-Diels-Alder reaction and the second one to main-chain decomposition.