Direct polyesterification promoted by a complex of diphenyl chlorophosphate with LiBr

The diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP)‐promoted polycondensation reaction between aromatic dicarboxylic acids and bisphenols was largely improved by carrying out the reaction in the presence of lithium halides to give high molecular weight aromatic polyesters. Among the halides LiBr, which is capable of forming a complex with hexamethylphosphoramide, was most effective, suggesting that a similar complexation of DPCP with LiBr in pyridine facilitates the complete reaction of DPCP with carboxyl groups. The complex could selectively activate carboxyl groups of hydroxybenzoic acids to give high molecular weight copolyesters from several combinations of aromatic hydroxy acids. The reaction could also be adaptable to the copolycondensations of a mixture of the dicarboxylic acids, bisphenols, and hydroxybenzoic acids.