Linear polythioesters. XIII.. Products of polycondensation of isomeric di(mercaptomethyl)–dimethylbenzenes with adipoyl and sebacoyl chlorides

Abstract

Abstract The synthesis of a new aliphatic–aromatic polythioesters obtained by polycondensation of 4,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)–1,2‐dimethylbenzene,4,6‐di(mercaptomethyl)–1,3‐dimethylbenzene and 2,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)–1,4‐dimethylbenzene with adipoyl and sebacoyl chloride is described. To define the optimal condition of the process, the polythioester from 2,5‐di(mercaptomethyl)–1,4‐dimethylbenzene and sebacoyl chloride was chosen as a model system and obtained by interfacial polycondensation as well as by low‐ and high‐temperature solution polycondensation. To determine the optimal conditions for polycondensation the following parameters have been studied: kind of organic solvent, concentration of reagents, temperature and time of reaction and, in the case of interfacial polycondensation additional, ratio of aqueous to organic phase, kind and concentration of hydrochloride acceptor, and kind and concentration of catalyst were taken into consideration. The quality of the obtained polycondensates was estimated on the basis of values of the reduced viscosity and yield. The structure of the aliphatic–aromatic polythioesters was determined from elementary analysis, infrared spectra, and X‐ray analysis. Some thermal, mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties as well as molecular weights of obtained polycondensates have been determined.