PRODUCTS OF POLYCONDENSATION OF 4,4'-BIPHENYLDITHIOL WITH SOME HYDROCARBON DIHALIDES

Polysulfides were synthesized with high yield by high-temperature solu tion polycondensation of 4,4'-biphenyldithiol with selected aliphatic and aromatic-aliphatic hydrocarbon dihalides. To determine the optimum polycondensation conditions, the influence of the following factors o n reduced viscosity and yield was studied: type of organic solvent, ty pe of hydrogen halide acceptor, concentration of reagents, reaction te mperature, and reaction time. A thorough examination was carried out o nly for the polycondensation of dithiol with bis(4-chloromethylphenyl) methane chosen as model system. The structures of the polysulfides wer e confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray analysis, and infrared spectr oscopy. The temperature of initial decomposition, the percentage of ma ss loss, and the temperature of the fastest decomposition process were determined from curves of differential thermal and thermogravimetric analysis. Some physicochemical, mechanical and electrical properties w ere determined. The highest thermal and chemical resistance has been f ound for the polysulfide obtained from 4,4'-biphenyldithiol and 4,4'-b is(chloromethyl)biphenyl, probably because of the predominantly aromat ic structure.