SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NEW POLY(ARYLENE ETHER)S BASED AN DIHYDROXYNAPHTHALENE ISOMERS

A series of new poly(arylene ether ketone)s and poly(arylene ether sul fone)s, obtained starting from dihydroxynaphthalene isomers, have been prepared by solution condensation polymerization. The polymers, havin g inherent Viscosities from 0.20 to 0.77 dl g(-1), have been obtained in quantitative yields, had excellent thermal stability as shown by 10 % weight loss temperatures in nitrogen and air (above 460 and 430 degr ees C, respectively) and high glass transition temperatures (in the ra nge 151-278 degrees C). X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the semic rystalline character of some polymers. The location of the naphthalene -ether bond appears to affect the polymer properties. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.