Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s

4,4'-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene)-bis-(phthalic anhydride) (1) was reacted wi th L-leucine (2) in toluene solution at refluxing temperature in the presen ce of triethylamine and the resulting imide-acid (4) was obtained in quanti tative yield. The compound (4) was converted to the diacid chloride (5) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polymerization reaction of the imide-ac id chloride (5) with 1,6-hexamethylenediamine (6a), benzidine (6b), 4,4'-di aminodiphenylmethane (6c), 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (6d), 4,4'-sulfonyldian iline (6e), 3,3'-diaminobenzophenone (6f), p-phenylenediamine (6g) and 2,6- diaminopyridine (6h) was carried out in chloroform/DMAc solution. The resul ting poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in high yield and are optically activ e and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses and specific rotation. Some structural character ization and physical properties of those optically active poly(amide-imide) s are reported. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.