SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(ENARYLOXYNITRILES) CONTAINING FLEXIBLE POLYESTER UNITS

New poly(enaryloxynitriles) with flexible alkyl units in the main chai n were prepared by interfacial polymerization of p-bis(1-chloro-2,2-di cyanovinyl)benzene (2) with disodium salts of alpha,omega-bis[(4-hydro xybenzoyl)oxy]alkanes. These polymers possess inherent viscosities of 0.12-0.27 dL/g and M(w) in the range 10 000-12 000. They are easily so luble in polar aprotic solvents and even in common organic solvents su ch as THF and acetone. Flexible, tough films can be cast from DMF solu tions. These polymers show a large exotherm in differential scanning c alorimetry and undergo a curing reaction around 350 degrees C to form insoluble materials. Thermogravimetry displayed 60-80% residual weight at 500 degrees C and revealed a good thermal stability for polymers c ontaining aliphatic segments.