Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(sulfoxide-urethane)s from 2,2'-sulfoxide-bis(4-methyl phenol) with various diisocyanates

A series of novel poly(sulfoxide-urethane)s (PSUs) with enhanced thermal stability and good solubility were prepared by two different processes from 2,2'-sulfoxide bis(4-methyl phenol) with commercially available diisocyanates. In the first process the PSUa-d were prepared by solution polymerization in dry N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) under gradual heating. In the second process, the PSU1-4 were synthesized under reflux conditions. The resulting polymers exhibited inherent viscosities in the range of 0.19-1.10 dL g(-1) and 0.13-0.79 dL g(-1) for PSUa-d and PSU1-4, respectively. All of the polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The PSUs exhibited a good solubility in a variety of polar solvents. The glass transition temperatures of the PSUa-d as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were in the range 154-200 degrees C. The 10% weight loss temperatures of the PSUa-d as determined by dynamic thermogravimetric analysis were found to be in the range 235-305 degrees C in argon atmosphere.