Synthesis and Characterization of Isophthalic Polyesters and Copolyesters based on 2,4-Dihydroxybenzophenone and 4,4’-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol

Abstract

Two aromatic isophthalic polyesters and three copolyesters were synthesized by interfacial polycondensation using 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone (2,4-DBP) and 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (HFD) with isophthaloyl chloride (ISO). All polymers were soluble in common chlorinated solvents. These aromatic polyesters and copolyesters were characterized by infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Their thermal, dynamic mechanical and physical properties were also determined. The glass transition temperature, onset of decomposition, and thermal stability of the homopolymer, poly(hexafluoroisopropilydene)isophthalate (HFD/ISO), were higher than those of homopolymer poly(2,4-benzophenone)isophthalate (2,4-DBP/ISO). The thermal properties of the copolyesters HFD/ ISO-co-DBP/ISO depend upon the amounts of HFD/ISO moiety present in the copolymer. Physical properties of the copolyesters were intermediate between those of the homopolyesters and depend upon the concentration of comonomers present in the copolyester.