Synthesis and characterization of novel optically active poly(amide-imide)s

4,4'-(Hexafluoroisopropylidene)-bis-(phthalic anhydride) (1) was reacted with L-leucine (2) in toluene solution at refluxing temperature in the presence of triethylamine and the resulting imide-acid (4) was obtained in quantitative yield. The compound (4) was converted to the diacid chloride (5) by reaction with thionyl chloride. The polymerization reaction of the imide-acid chloride (5) with 1,6-hexamethylenediamine (6a), benzidine (6b), 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane (6c), 1,5-diaminoanthraquinone (6d), 4,4'-sulfonyldianiline (6e), 3,3'-diaminobenzophenone (6f), p-phenylenediamine (6g) and 2,6-diaminopyridine (6h) was carried out in chloroform/DMAc solution. The resulting poly(amide-imide)s were obtained in high yield and are optically active and thermally stable. All of the above compounds were fully characterized by IR, elemental analyses and specific rotation. Some structural characterization and physical properties of those optically active poly(amide-imide)s are reported. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.