Synthesis and characterization of a fully aromatic polyazomethine with rotaxane architecture

This paper reports the preparation and characterization of a new aromatic polyazomethine with rotaxane architecture. The complex of beta-cyclodextrin and 1,4-phenylenediamine was treated with N-n-butyl-3,6-diformylcarbazole, which is large enough to prevent dethreading. The polycondensation reaction was performed in N,N-dimethylformamide leading to polyazomethine soluble in polar solvents. Measurements made by gel permeation chromatography of the dimethylformamide-soluble (DMF) soluble polyazomethine show the presence of high molecular weight material. The structure and thermal properties of the resulting polymer were characterized by IR, H-1 NMR, TGA and DSC techniques. (C) 2003 Society of Chemical Industry.