A novel polymeric dye containing an anthraquinone ring was prepared by solu
tion polycondensation. The molecule geometry was fully optimized on the bas
is of the AM1 method. The hydrogen bond was formed and retained coplanarity
in the molecular structure. In its W spectrum, a large hypsochromic shift
and a hypochromic effect were observed due to polyesterification. The polym
eric dye was also characterized by means of IR and TG. Its thermal degradat
ion mechanism was elucidated. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.