Polybenzimidazoles, new thermally stable polymers

Abstract Wholly aromatic polybenzimidazoles were synthesized from aromatic tetraamines and difunctional aromatic acids and characterized as new thermally stable polymers. The melt polycondensation of aromatic tetraamines and the diphenyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids was developed as a general procedure of wide applicability. Polybenzimidazoles containing mixed aromatic units in the chain backbone were prepared from 3,3′‐diaminobenzidine, 1,2,4,5‐tetraaminobenzene and a variety of aromatic diphenyl dicarboxylates. Phenyl 3,4‐diaminobenzoate could also be polymerized by melt condensation to give poly‐2,5(6)‐benzimidazole. The polymers were characterized by a high degree of stability, showing great resistance to treatment with hydrolytic media and an ability to withstand continued exposure to elevated temperatures. Most of the polymers were infusible, but some had melting points above about 400°C. Many of the polymers exhibited no change in properties on being heated to 550°C. and showed a weight loss of less than 5% when heated under nitrogen for several hours to 600°C. The polymers were soluble in concentrated sulfuric acid and formic acid, producing stable solutions. Many of the polymers were soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and some also in dimethylformamide. The inherent viscosities of a number of polymers in 0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide solution ranged from approximately 0.4 to 1.1. The higher polymers could be cast into stiff and tough films from formic acid and dimethyl sulfoxide solutions.