SYNTHESIS OF POLY(ESTER CARBONATE) COPOLYMERS

The synthesis of poly(ester carbonate) copolymers based on bisphenol A, terephthalic acid, and phosgene is reviewed, and a new synthetic route is described leading to polymers which are different from those obtained by methods described in the literature. The most important features of the new method are quantitative incorporation of the dicarboxylic acid into the polymer and absence of undesirable side reactions. Synthesis of the random copolymer in which the dicarboxylic acid and carbonic acid groups are present in about equal molar amounts is discussed. Solution properties, effects of M//n and copolymer composition on T//g, sequence length distribution, the effect of ester interchange reactions on molecular weight distribution, and effects of monofunctional chain termination on molecular weight of the final product are also discussed.