Synthesis and properties of polyesterimides and their isomers

Abstract

AbstractA new type of polyesterimide has been synthesized by polycondensation of a dicarboxylic acid containing an internal imide group with ethylene glycol. The dicarboxylic acid was synthesized by reacting aminobenzoic acid with trimellitic acid anhydride in N, N‐dimethylformamide solution. Three isomeric (ortho, meta, and para) polyesterimides were prepared from the respective isomer of the dicarboxylic acid. The solubility characteristics, solubility parameters, solution viscosity behavior, density, crystallinity, and thermal properties of these three isomeric polyesterimides were discussed. Some generalizations about structure–property relationship in polyesterimides were also made. It was found that while the ortho and meta isomers of the polyesterimide are amorphous, the para isomer tends to be somewhat crystalline and consequently less soluble, even in polar solvents. The thermal behavior of the meta isomer resembles closely that of the para isomer. The thermal stability of these isomers follows the order para ≥ meta > ortho.