Linear polythioesters. II. Products of interfacial polycondensation of 1,4‐di(mercaptomethyl)‐naphthalene, 1,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)naphthalene, and a mixture of 1,4‐ and 1,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)‐naphthalene with terephthaloyl and isophthaloyl chlorides

Abstract

Abstract New polythioesters of naphthalene derivatives produced by interfacial polycondensation of 1,4‐di(mercaptomethyl)naphthalene and 1,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)naphthalene and their mixture with isophthaloyl and terephthaloyl chlorides were obtained. To define the optimal conditions of interfacial polycondensation the following factors that influence the process were studied: the ratio of the aqueous phase to the organic (water–benzene), the concentration of the hydrochloride acceptor, the contribution of emulsifier and catalyst, and the temperature of the reaction. Yield for all reaction products and the reduced viscosity of phenol–tetrachloroethane soluble in the mixture were found. The structure of polythioesters with high‐value reduced viscosity and good yield was determined by elementary analysis, infrared (IR) spectra, and x‐ray analysis; the glassy temperature, initial decomposition, and maximum velocity of decomposition were obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA); and the thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of the polythioesters were determined. Their molecular weight was not measured because of their low solubility. The good yields, short process time, and good chemical and thermal properties of the polymers showed that the interfacial polycondensation method could be effective in obtaining polythioesters by using aliphatic–aromatic dimercaptans of naphthalene with terephthaloyl and isophthaloyl chlorides.