Synthesis and characterization of sulfone‐containing polyesters derived from 4,4′‐dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone by direct polycondensation

Several sulfone‐containing polyesters having inherent viscosities 0.43‐0.19 dL g−1 were prepared by direct polycondensation of 4,4′‐dicarboxydiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) with various aromatic and aliphatic diols, by p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and N,N′‐dimethylformamide in pyridine solution. The polyesters were examined by elementary analysis, IR spectra, inherent viscosity, x‐ray diffraction, solubility, DSC, and TGA. The diffraction diagram showed that all polyesters were crystalline except that obtained from bisphenol‐A. All polymers were soluble in sulfonic acid (18M), phenol and p‐chlorophenol, but not in acetone and toluene. These polymers obtained from aromatic bisphenols lost no mass below 325°C, but 10% loss of mass was recorded above 396°C in nitrogen. DCDPS copolymerized with isophthalic acid (IPA) and bisphenol‐A had inherent viscosity up to 0.49 dL g−1, with relatively narrow distribution of molar mass .