Synthesis and some reactions of linear poly(iminohexamethylene)

By complete reduction of polyamide-6, poly(iminohexamethylene) (PIH) was obtained. This new linear polyamine was characterized by i.r. and by n.m.r. spectroscopy as well as by titration. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements and X-ray diffraction found a high degree of crystallinity whose extent strongly depends upon the pre-treatment. The polyammonium salts that form with inorganic and organic acids show the typical polyelectrolyte effect in viscometry. PIH was alkylated with methyl iodide or acrylic acid and was acylated with N-BOC-l-α-amino acids or N-BOC-ω-amino-alkylenecarboxylic acids. The properties of these derivatives are described.