THERMOTROPIC LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE COPOLYESTERS .1. SYNTHESIS AND THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE COPOLYESTERS OF TEREPHTHALOYL CHLORIDE, HYDROQUINONE, AND 1,4-BUTANE DIOL

A new series of random thermotropic liquid crystalline polyesters (LCP s) was synthesized from terephthaloyl chloride, hydroquinone, and 1,4- butane diol. The copolyester composition was varied by changing the re lative mole ratio of hydroquinone and 1,4-butane diol in the feed. All the copolyesters displayed thermotropic liquid crystallinity at relat ively low temperatures. Liquid crystalline behavior of the copolyester s has been characterized by polarizing light microscopy and by differe ntial scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of copolyester compositio n on the temperature and thermodynamic parameters related to liquid cr ystalline transition is discussed.