Silicone polycarbonates from new aryl‐terminated siloxane precursors

Abstract

Abstract Several synthetic routes to silicon polycarbonate copolymers utilizing aryl‐terminated siloxanes have been examined. Anhydride capped siloxanes with varying polydimethylsiloxane units were prepared by the acid equilibration of 1,3‐bis(4,4′‐phthalicanhydride)tetramethyldisiloxane. These siloxanes were then imidized with aminophenol to the corresponding phenol capped siloxane. Reaction of these materials with 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol (BPA) and phosgene (interfacially and non‐interfacially) produced silicone polycarbonate copolymers. Similar copolymers were obtained by reaction with bis‐chloroformate derivatives of 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol (monomer and oligomers). The different synthetic routes significantly affect the thermal and mechanical properties as well as the composition of the new polymers. Materials synthesized by the bis‐chloroformate route exhibit good hydrolytic and melt stabilities. Those made interfacially underwent phase separation in the melt.