Novel optical material: Polyarylates with azomethine side-chain groups

A number of NLO polymers were obtained, in which aromatic polyester is a ma trix and the chromophores are incorporated into the form of a side chain. S pecial monomers are based on 2,2-bis(3-amino-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane; they contain an azomethine bond and various electron-acceptor groups (nitro, cya nide, and fluoride) as substituents in the side-chain aromatic ring. The ef fect of the type of the electron-acceptor substituent, its substitution pos ition in the aromatic ring with respect to the azomethine bond, and special monomer concentration on the optical, mechanical, and thermal properties o f the whole system was studied. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.