SYNTHESIS OF POLYMERS IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS - POLYADDITION OF BIS(OXAZOLINES) WITH DITHIOL IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS

Polyaddition of bis(4-mercaptophenyl) sulfide (BMPS) with m-phenyleneb is (2-oxazoline) (MPBO) proceeded very smoothly in the mixtures of apr otic ploar solvents such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) with water to produce the corresponding poly(amide-sulfide) with high molecular wei ghts at 90 degrees C under nitrogen. The reaction of BMPS with MPBO, p -phenylenebis(2-oxazoline), and 1,4-butylenebis(2-oxazoline) was also examined in water under the same conditions, and it was found that the reaction proceeds successfully to give the corresponding poly(amide-s ulfide)s with high molecular weights. These results mean that water al ong as well as the mixed solvents of aprotic polar solvents such as NM P with water can be uses as suitable reaction media for the polyadditi on of bis(oxazolines) with dithiol to synthesize poly(amide-sulfide)s with high molecular weights. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.