Aromatic-aliphatic polysulfides - Products of the polycondensation of 4,4'-bis(mercaptomethyl)biphenyl with some dihalogen hydrocarbons

Polysulfides were synthesized by high-temperature solution polycondensation of 4,4'-bis(mercaptomethyl)biphenyl with selected aliphatic and aromatic-aliphatic dihalogen hydrocarbons. To determine the optimum polycondensation conditions, the influence of the following factors on reduced viscosity and yield were studied: type of organic solvent, type of hydrogen halide (HX) acceptor, concentration of reagents, reaction temperature and reaction time. A thorough examination was carried out only for the polycondensation of dithiol with bis(4-chloromethylphenyl)methane and 1,6-dibromohexane chosen as model system. The structures of polysulfides were confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The temperature of initial decomposition, the percentage of its mass loss, and the temperature of the fastest decomposition process were determined from the curves of differential and thermogravimetric analysis. Some physicochemical, mechanical and electrical properties were determined.