Polyether azomethines. I. Synthesis and characterization

Six new polyether azomethines were synthesized by melt and solution polycondensation of six different diamines with 4,4′‐[1,4‐phenylene bis(oxy)] bisbenzaldehyde. The polymers synthesized by solution method are yellow to white in color and had inherent viscosities up to 0.59 dL/g in concentrated H2SO4. The polymers obtained by melt condensation show higher viscosity. Except polymer IV, others are insoluble in common organic solvents. The polymers were characterized by IR, x‐ray, elemental analysis, and DSC study. The thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by TGA and IGA study. Polymers I‐III are highly thermally and thermooxidatively stable and exhibit no appreciable decomposition up to 420°C both in air and nitrogen atmosphere. It was shown that the curing of the polyazo‐methines takes place by opening up of the CHN linkages at higher temperature. The electrical conductivities of the virgin and iodine doped polymers were as high as 10−11−10−16 and 10−6−10−8S cm−1, respectively, at 30°C. Electronic spectra of the undoped polymers (I‐III) indicated a large bathochromic shift of the ⌅ – ⌅* absorptions band (376 nm) due to CN bonds of the model compound. This can be attributed to extensive delocalization of the electrons along the polymer chain.