1,2-BIS(CARBOXYPHENOXY)ARYLENES AND ARAMIDS AND POLYARYLATES THEREFROM - SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES

The synthesis of a new series of aromatic bis(ether acid)s and bis(eth er acid chloride)s by fluorodisplacement with catechol or its derivati ves has been developed and exemplified. These monomers allow the synth esis of new aramids (poly(ether amide)s), polyarylates (poly(ether est er)s) and copolyarylates in which ortho-phenylene units are enchained through ether linkages. These polymers are significantly more flexible and, therefore, more soluble than conventional aromatic polyamides an d polyesters. They have useful levels of thermal stability, associated with relatively high glass-transition temperatures ( > 200 degrees C) , are processable from solution or the melt, and are potentially cryst allizable. Liquid crystalline poly(ether ester)s were prepared. Polyam ides prepared from bis(ether acid)s in which all three aromatic rings, separated by ether linkages, are all ortho-substituted gave low-molec ular weight polymers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserv ed.