Two synthesis routes for the preparation of novel base-modified polysulfone
s (PSUs; Udel((R))) were investigated: (1) the addition of the basic aromat
ic ketones 2,2 ' -dipyridylketone and 4,4 ' -bis-(diethylamino)benzophenone
and the basic aromatic aldehydes N,N-dimethylamino-benzaldehyde, pyridine-
2-aldehyde, pyridine-3-aldehyde, and pyridine-4-aldehyde to lithiated PSU a
nd (2) the reaction of lithiated PSU with basic aromatic carboxylic acid es
ters such as 4-N,N-dimethylaminobenzoic acid ethylester, pyridine-2-carboxy
lic acid ethylester, pyridine-3-carboxylic acid ethylester, and pyridine-4-
carboxylic acid ethylester. Both synthesis routes lead to a high degree of
conversion, without the occurrence of crosslinking. This is remarkable, esp
ecially for the reaction of lithiated PSU with the ester compounds, because
the - (C=O)-Ar groups formed by the reaction of the ester with PSU-Li are
not further converted with the remaining PSU-Li sites to (crosslinked) PSU-
C(-OLi)-Ar-PSU alcoholates, as normally observed when esters are reacted wi
th Li-organic compounds. Starting with dilithiated PSU, we obtained degrees
of substitution of 0.8-2 groups per PSU repeating unit. The structures and
compositions of the modified PSU polymers were confirmed with NMR spectros
copy and elemental analysis. The modified polymers were also characterized
via thermogravimetric analysis (thermal stability). Interestingly, the prod
uct of the reaction of lithiated PSU with 4,4 ' -bis-(diethylamino)benzophe
none could be oxidized to a deep blue polymeric dye that showed proton self
-conductivity. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.