SYNTHESIS AND PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF AMORPHOUS POLY(ARYL ETHER ISOQUINOLINE)S

The synthesis of a new class of N-heterocyclic polymers, the poly(aryl ether isoquinoline)s, is described via an intramolecular ring-closure reaction of poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing the o-dibenzoylbenzene moiety with benzylamine in the presence of 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undecene (DBU) in refluxing chlorobenzene. The synthesis of copolymers of poly(aryl ether ketone)s and poly(aryl ether isoquinoline)s is demonstrated, and the copolymer contents were determined by H-1 NMR studies. Ring-closure reactions of previously prepared end-capped poly(aryl ether ketone)s to poly(aryl ether isoquinoline)s were done to determine exact molecular weights of the resulting polymers. Various fluoro-substituted isoquinoline monomers were prepared and polymerized with bisphenols in N-methylcaprolactam (NMC) in the presence of excess base (K2CO3). The high molecular weight polymers showed T(g)'s ranging from 225 to 320-degrees-C. Studies by TGA showed polymer 5% weight losses in air and nitrogen above 500-degrees-C.