Cyanopolyesters

The reaction of alkyl acyl cyanides with electron‐rich aromatic substrates in highly acidic media was found to give high yields of bisadducts. Reactions with phenol produced two new eyanobisphenols which readily underwent polycondensation with acid chlorides. The resultant polyesters can be directly compared to the polyesters of bisphenol‐A (BPA) strictly on the basis of polar effects since steric differences are nominal. Thermal, mechanical, electrical and solubility characteristics are reported for the cyanopolycarbonates, which show higher thermal transitions and thermal stability than BPA polycarbonate.