Thermotropic para-linked aromatic polyesters containing 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-ylene units

Synthesis, thermal properties and solubility behaviour of para-linked aromatic homopolyesters containing non-coplanar 1,1′-binaphthyl-4,4′-ylene units are described. By combining such binaphthylylene units with monosubstituted phenylene units, crystallization can be suppressed and thermotropic liquid-crystalline polyesters with glass transition temperatures (T_g) up to 190°C are obtainable. The liquid-crystalline order is maintained below T_g in an anisotropic glass. The polyesters show good solubility in common organic solvents, such as chloroform or tetrahydrofuran.