Synthesis and characterization of new aromatic polyesters containing biphenyl side groups

Aromatic polyesters containing biphenyl side groups were synthesized by phase-transfer catalyzed interfacial polycondensation of 1-(4-biphenylyl)-1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane (BBHPE) with terephthaloyl chloride (TPC), isophthaloyl chloride (IPC), and a mixture of TPC/IPC (50 : 50 mol ratio). Copolyesters were synthesized by utilizing different molar proportions of BBHPE and 4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol (BPA) with IPC and TPC. The inherent viscosities of polyesters were in the range 0.44–1.26 dL/g. All the polyesters were soluble in organic solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, meta-cresol, pyridine, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone. Tough, transparent, and flexible films could be cast from chloroform solutions of these polyesters. WAXD measurements indicated that all the polyesters and copolyesters were amorphous in nature. Glass transition temperature of polyesters were in the range 198–256°C, while the initial degradation temperature of polyesters were in the range 444–481°C. Copolyesters derived from BBHPE exhibited improved solubility and higher glass transition temperatures compared to the corresponding polyesters based on BPA. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2007