Pyrene and anthracene dicarboxylic acids as fluorescent brightening comonomers for polyester

Diacids of fused arenes have been prepared for use as covalently bound fluo rescent optical brightening agents in condensation polymers. The monomers: dimethyl 1,6-pyrene dicarboxylate, dimethyl 1,8-pyrenedicarboxylate, dimeth yl 2,7-pyrenedicarboxylate, 1,8-bis(2-carboxybenzoyl)pyrene dimethyl ester, dimethyl 2,6-anthracenedicarboxylate, dimethyl 2,7-anthracenedicarboxylate and dimethyl 9,10-anthracenedicarboxylate are copolymerized with poly(ethy lene terephthalate) and their optical properties are assessed. All of the p olymers give blue fluorescence, with the copolymer containing dimethyl 1,6- pyrenedicarboxylate being the brightest. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.