Novel high performance poly(sulfone-ether-amide-imide)s

Abstract A novel sulfone ether amide diamine was prepared through a two-step synthetic route. At first, 3,3′-((sulfonyl bis(1,4-phenylene))bis(oxy))dianiline was prepared from nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 3-aminophenol with 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone in the presence of K2CO3. In the second step, the reaction of this compound with isophthaloyl chloride resulted in the preparation of a unique aromatic diamine containing amide, ether, and sulfone groups. Then three different kinds of poly(sulfone-ether-amide-imide)s were prepared via polycondensation reaction of the synthesized diamine with different dianhydrides including pyromellitic dianhydride, benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, and hexafluoroisopropylidene diphthalic anhydride. The structures of synthesized precursors, monomer, and prepared polymers were characterized using elemental analysis, 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy methods. Inherent viscosity, molecular weight, thermal behavior and stability, flame retardancy, and solubility of polymers were studied. As the polymers showed high thermal stability and also improved solubility, they can be used as heat and fire resistant materials.