Synthesis of Polyarylate by Removal of Acetic Acid from Reactive Distillation Condensation Polymerization of Bispheonol A Diacetate and Terephthalic/Isophthalic Acids

Industrially available bisphenol A polyarylate is conventionally produced by interfacial condensation polymerization of bisphenol A and a mixture of terephthloyl/isophthaloyl chlorides. We now report a new synthetic method without using the acid chloride derivatives. By removal of acetic acid with a high boiling point mixed solvent from the condensation polymerization of bisphenol A diacetate and the mixture of terephthalic/isophthalic acids, and while feeding the biphenyl/diphenyl ether mixed solvent under the boiling condition of the mixed solvent, a high molecular weight bisphenol A polyarylate was obtained. The polyarylate with a high molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1.6), and excellent appearance with a negligible discoloration was obtained. This new method should be called the reactive distillation condensation polymerization.