Preparation and properties of polyarylates from 5‐t‐butylisophthaloyl chloride and various bisphenols

Polyarylates containing a t‐butyl pendant group were prepared from 5‐t‐butylisophthaloyl chloride and various bisphenols through the phase‐transfer catalyzed two‐phase polycondensation. The polyarylates having inherent viscosities up to 3.1 dL/g were obtained quantitatively. They were readily soluble in various solvents such as chloroform, m‐cresol, and pyridine. Coloreless, transparent, and flexible films could be cast from the chloroform solutions of the polymers. The polyarylates had glass transition temperatures between 210 and 320°C, and did not lose weight below 350°C, with 10% weight loss being recorded at 395–450°C in air.