POLYMERIZATION BY PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSIS .20. SYNTHESIS OF POLYCARBONATES AND POLYTHIOCARBONATES WITH AN ESTER GROUP IN THE SIDE-CHAIN

Poly(ester-carbonate)s and poly(ester-thiocarbonate)s were synthesized from diphenols containing an ester group in the side chain and phosge ne or thiophosgene under phase-transfer conditions. The polymers were characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy, and the molec ular weights were estimated by inherent viscosity measurements. The in fluence of the nature of the catalysts and the structure of the diphen ols on the yields and inherent viscosities was studied. We found that the catalysts were effective for all monomers, although the inherent v iscosity values were low due to the insolubility of the polymers in th e reaction media. Without catalyst, the polymers were not obtained.