POLYMERS FROM COUMARINES - SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYAMIDES DERIVED FROM (CHLOROFORMYL)PHENYL]ETHYNYL)COUMARIN-3-CARBOXYLIC ACID CHLORIDE

Coumarin-containing polyamides from 6-{[3-(chloroformyl)phenyl]ethynyl ) coumarin-3-carboxylic acid chloride were prepared and characterized for the first time. They were soluble in common organic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and gave tr ansparent and tough films on casting. In the presence of excess diamin e, the polymers underwent chemical transformation at room temperature, producing polyazomethynes, as confirmed by the corresponding model re actions, and a possible reaction mechanism is proposed for this transf ormation. The coumarin containing polyamides showed emission and excit ation maxima peaking at 464 and 398 nm, respectively, in solution and exhibited 10% weight loss above 400 degrees C.