Crystallization-induced reactions of copolymers. III. Ester interchange reorganization of poly(cis/trans-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate)

Random copolymers of cis- and trans-1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate were permitted to undergo ester-interchange reorganization at temperatures just below the melting point. As predicted from the principles of crystallization-induced reactions of semicrystalline copolymers proposed in the first two papers of this series, the copolymers were observed to undergo changes in physical properties which are associated with the conversion of a random to a block copolymer. The driving force for this antiequilibrium ordering process is believed to be the irreversible expansion of the crystalline regions following replacement of cis by trans glycol units. Solubility, crystallinity, and crystallization properties were monitored to determine the effects of copolymer composition, temperature, catalyst, and molecular weight on the reorganization rate. This type of process is also believed to be responsible for the direct preparation of block copolymers by a solid-state polycondensation reaction used in this study.