Organosoluble asymmetric aromatic polyamides bearing pendent phenoxy groups

This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of new polyamides based on an aromatic asymmetric diamine-containing phenoxy-substituted benzophenone segment. Low-temperature solution polycondensation reactions of this diamine with various aromatic diacid chlorides containing ether, hexafluoroisopropylidene or diphenylsilane groups resulted in polyamides with molecular weights in the range 102 900-113 200 g mol(-1). The structures of these monomers and the corresponding polymers were fully confirmed using elemental analysis and infrared and NMR spectroscopy. All polyamides were easily soluble at room temperature in polar aprotic solvents and even in less polar solvents such as tetrahydrofuran. The polymers showed excellent thermal stability, up to 385 degrees C, and displayed glass transition temperatures in the range 225-256 degrees C. All the polymers presented blue florescence upon irradiation with UV light and thus show promise for applications in electroluminescent devices. (C) 2011 Society of Chemical Industry