AROMATIC-ALIPHATIC POLYSULFIDES - PRODUCTS OF THE POLYCONDENSATION OF4,4'-BIS(MERCAPTOMETHYL)BIPHENYL WITH SOME DIHALOGEN HYDROCARBONS

Polysulfides were synthesized by high-temperature solution polycondens ation of 4,4'-bis(mercaptomethyl)biphenyl with selected aliphatic and aromatic-aliphatic dihalogen hydrocarbons. To determine the optimum po lycondensation conditions, the influence of the following factors on r educed viscosity and yield were studied: type of organic solvent, type of hydrogen halide (HX) acceptor, concentration of reagents, reaction temperature and reaction time. A thorough examination was carried out only for the polycondensation of dithiol with bis(4-chloromethylpheny l)methane and 1,6-dibromohexane chosen as model system. The structures of polysulfides were confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The temperature of initial decomposition, t he percentage of its mass loss, and the temperature of the fastest dec omposition process were determined from the curves of differential and thermogravimetric analysis. Some physicochemical, mechanical and elec trical properties were determined.