Direct polycondensation of hydroxybenzoic acids with diphenyl chlorophosphate in the presence of ethers

The effects of a modification of the relative reactivity of carboxyl groups to hydroxy groups in monomers on the direct polycondensation of hydroxybenzoic acids was investigated. Polycondensation with diphenyl chlorophosphate (DPCP) was largely promoted by carrying out the reaction in the presence of ethers which are capable of complexing with carboxyl groups in the monomers. The amount of alkyl ethers, such as, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) corresponding to an equivalent unit mole of carboxyl groups was effectively added. The molecular weights of the polymers produced increased with the higher molecular weights of PEO, showing maximum values by use of PEO of 1–2.5 × 105.