WHISKERS .7. HOMOPOLYESTERS AND COPOLYESTERS OF 6-HYDROXYTHIOXANTHONE-2-CARBOXYLIC ACID

6-Hydroxythioxanthone-2-carboxylic acid (HTCA) was prepared from commercial dimethylnitroterephthalate via 2-(4'-hydroxythiophenyl) terephthalic acid. HTCA was acetylated and polycondensed in an inert reaction medium at 350 or 400-degrees-C. An insoluble and infusible, highly crystalline polyester was obtained, which did not form whisker-like crystals. Furthermore, copolyesters with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (4-HBA) were synthesized and whiskers were obtained at a molar ratio of 1 : 9 (in favor of 4-HBA). A meltable, nematic copolyester was prepared by cocondensation of silylated 6-acetoxythioxanthone-2-carboxylic acid and silylated 4-acetoxybenzoic acid in bulk. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.