Investigation of thiazole polymers for heat‐resistant fibers and films

Seventeen thiazole polymers were prepared by the polycondensation of bis‐α‐bromoketones with dithioamides, and the polymers were investigated for preparing heat‐resistant fibers and films. Tough fibers and films were made from four of the polymers; however, these polymers had low melting points (164–250°C.). All of the other polymers studied except these did not melt below 500°C., and they had excellent thermal stabilities, but they did not have good fiber‐ and film‐forming properties because of their low molecular weights. All of the polymers prepared had some crystallinity. Two of the polymers were soluble in organic solvents; the other were soluble only in strong acids. Model compounds of four of the polymers were prepared, and the properties and structures of the compounds were compared with those of the polymers.