Synthesis and characterization of new cardo polyamides derived from 8,8-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane

Abstract

A series of novel cardo polyamides were prepared by direct polycondensation of 8,8-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]tricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decane and various aromatic dicarboxylic acids in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) using triphenyl phosphite and pyridine as condensing agents. The polymers were produced with high yield and moderate to high inherent viscosities of 0.71–1.40 dL·g–1. Nearly all the polymers could be readily dissolved in polar aprotic solvents such as NMP, N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) and N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide as well as less polar solvents such as pyridine and γ-butyrolactone. The polymers were solution-cast from DMAc solution into transparent, flexible, and tough films which were further characterized by X-ray and mechanical analysis. Nearly all the polymers were amorphous, and the polyamide films had a tensile strength range of 97–111 MPa, an elongation at break range of 9–11%, and a tensile modulus range of 1.9–2.3 GPa. The polyamides had glass transition temperatures between 251–272°C and 10% weight loss temperatures in the range of 468–490 and 499–532°C in nitrogen and air atmosphere, respectively.