Rapid Formation of Optically Active and Organosoluble Polyamides Containing L-Alaninephthalimide Side Chain via Microwave Irradiation

Several aromatic optically active polyamides (PA)s were synthesized from 5-(2-phthalimidiylpropanoylamino)isophthalic acid with various aromatic diamines via direct polycondensation with triphenyl phosphite and pyridine in the presence of calcium chloride and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone under microwave irradiation and conventional heating conditions. Under the optimized conditions, the reaction mixture was irradiated for 2 min. with a 100% irradiation power (900 W). The resulting polymers were obtained in high yield and moderate inherent viscosity ranging from 0.35 to 0.60 dL/g. All synthesized polymers showed excellent solubility in amide-type solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed a 10% weight loss temperature and char yield at 600 degrees C in a nitrogen atmosphere of > 350 degrees C and > 58%, respectively, which suggests that the resulting PAs have good thermal stability.