| Abstract: | A series of rigid rod-like polyspiroacetals bearing flexible side chains was prepared by interfacial polycondensation of 4,4′-(2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5,5]undecane-3,9-diyl)diphenol with 2,5-dialkoxy-substituted terephthaloyl dichlorides. The majority of these polymers were soluble in polar solvents like tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), CHCl3, phenol/CCl4 (1 : 1 by vol.) mixtures, etc. The molecular weights ranged from 7 600 to 15 000 and the melting temperature from 182 to 228°C. Both of the above values decreased with increasing length of the side chains. The TG curves revealed 5% weight loss at 350–370°C under N2 gas atmosphere. Wide-angle X-ray diffractograms showed that all of the polymers have considerable crystallinity at room temperature. |
