Conformational properties of structurally rigid polyamides. I. Conformation of polyamides and model diamides derived from optically active cyclic 1,2-dicarboxylic acids

The conformational equilibria of piperidine diamides derived from five cyclic 1,2-dicarboxylic acids (I–V) have been investigated by dipole moment measurements and a priori conformational energy estimates. Since these diamides represent the building blocks of the polyamides derived from the above cyclic diacids and piperazine or trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazine, the results obtained in the study of the models have been used to investigate the conformation of the polymers. The overall evidence suggests that cyclopentane, cyclohexane, and bicyclooctane piperazine polymers behave as rigid rods in which the structural units possess approximately the same conformational preference exhibited by the respective model diamides.