Soluble and thermally stable polyamides bearing 1,1'-thiobis(2-naphthoxy) groups

A new-type of sulfide containing diacid (1, 1'-thiobis(2-naphthoxy acetic acid)) was synthesized from 2-naphthol in three steps. Reaction of 2-naphthol with sulfur dichloride afforded 1,1'-thiobis(2-naphthol) (TBN). 1,1'-Thiobis(2-naphthoxy acetic ester) (TBNAE) was successfully synthesized by refluxing the TBN with methylcholoroacetate in the presence of potassium carbonate. The related diacid was synthesized by basic solution reduction of TBNAE. The obtained diacid was fully characterized and used to prepare novel thermally stable poly(sulfide ether amide)s via polyphosphorylation reaction with different aromatic diamines. The properties of these new polyamides were investigated and compared with similar polyamides. These polyamides showed inherent viscosities in the range of 0.39-0.87 dL g(-1) in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) at 30 degrees C and at a concentration of 0.5 g dL(-1). All the polyamides were readily soluble in a variety of polar solvents such as DMAc and tetrahydrofuran (THF). These polyamides showed glass transition temperature (T,) between 241-268 degrees C. Thermogravimetric analysis measurement revealed the decomposition temperature at 10% weight loss (T-10) ranging from 441-479 degrees C in argon atmosphere. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.