Synthesis of polyanhydrides. XI.¹ Synthesis and properties of new polythioetherpolyanhydrides

Four groups of new aromatic and aliphatic α,ω‐dicarboxythioethers were synthesized and the optimum reaction conditions has been determined. magnified image Polycondensation reactions of α,ω‐dicarboxythioethers, carried out with acetic anhydride, afforded new linear and crystalline polythioetherpolyanhydrides. It was confirmed from the physical properties that the flexibility of the polymer chain was markedly enhanced by substituting methylene groups for thioether linkages in the monomer molecule. The experimental evidence supports the observations previously reported for polyetherpolyanhydrides 2 . The polymer structure was determined by means of infrared spectra and X‐ray diffraction studies and the properties of the new polythioetherpolyanhydrides were investigated. Furthermore, the influence of the molecular structure on the physical properties of these polymers is discussed.