SOLUTION POLYCONDENSATION OF DIESTERS AND DIAMINES HAVING HETERO ATOM GROUPS IN POLAR-SOLVENTS

Polycondensation reactions of diesters and diamines having hetero atom groups such as ether or hydroxyl groups were carried out in polar solvents such as water and methanol. It was found that hetero atom groups such as ether or hydroxyl groups could greatly enhance the reactivity of diesters when introduced at α or β positions on ester carbonyl group, but that they did not change the reactivity of diamines. Polycondensation reactions took place in a methanol solution under mild conditions to form polyamides, while the hydrolysis reaction of the diesters occurred simultaneously with the polycondensation reaction, yielding nylon salts in aqueous solution. The apparent orders of the polycondensation reaction of these diesters with diamines were determined so as to analyze the polycondensation reaction. © 1979 The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.