LINEAR POLYTHIOESTERS .20. PRODUCTS OF INTERFACIAL POLYCONDENSATION OF 4,4'-BIS(MERCAPTOMETHYL)-BIPHENYL WITH SOME ALIPHATIC AND ISOPHTHALOYL DICHLORIDES

New polythioesters were synthesized by interfacial polycondensation of 4,4'-bis(mercaptomethyl)biphenyl with selected aliphatic and isomeric phthaloyl dichlorides. To determine optimum polycondensation conditions, the influence of the following factors on reduced viscosity and yield were studied: type of organic phase, concentration of reagents, aqueous/organic phase ratio, type and concentration of hydrogen chloride acceptor, rate of acid chloride addition, reaction temperature and reaction time. A thorough examination was carried out only for the polycondensation of dithiol with adipoyl and isophthaloyl dichlorides chosen as a model system. The structures of polythioesters were confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The temperature of initial decomposition, the percentage of its mass loss, and temperature of the fastest decomposition process from curves of differential and thermogravimetric analysis were determined. Some physicochemical, mechanical and electrical properties were determined. The molecular weights were not measured because of the low solubility of the obtained polythioesters.