Synthesis and Characterization of New Unsaturated Polyesters Containing 4‐Phenylcyclohexanone Moiety in the Main Chain

Abstract

Two series of new unsaturated polyesters were prepared from 2,6‐bis(p‐hydroxidebenzylidene)‐4‐phenylcyclohexanone (I) and 2,6‐divanillyidene‐4‐phenylcyclohexanone (II) with adipoyl, isophthaloyl, sebacoyl and terephthaloyl dichlorides utilizing the interfacial polycondensation technique at ambient temperature. In addition to that, the model compounds were synthesized by reacting (I) and (II) with benzoyl chloride. The model compound and polyester samples have been characterized by elemental and spectral analyses. The unsaturated polyesters have inherent viscosities of 0.96–1.63 dl/g. All the polyesters are amorphous and most of them are partially soluble in most common organic solvents, but easily soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid. Their glass transition temperatures (Tg) range from190.15 to 245.28°C, and the temperatures of 10% weight loss as high as 180 to 220°C in air, indicating that these aromatic polyesters have high Tg and excellent thermal stability.