SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(THIOETHER AMIDE)S FROM 2,6-BIS(ACRYLAMIDO)PYRIDINE AND DITHIOLS

Poly (thioether amide) s containing pyridine moieties in their backbone were obtained by the polyaddition of 2,6-bis(acrylamido)pyridine (2,6-BAAP), derived from 2,6-diaminopyridine and acryloyl chloride, with an aromatic or aliphatic dithiol. The influence of various reaction conditions on the polyaddition was investigated in comparison with the polyaddition of 1,3-bis (acrylamido)benzene (1,3-BAAB). 2,6-BAAP gave the polymer even in the absence of any initiator at lower temperatures while 1,3-BAAB did not, which was attributable principally to intramolecular base catalysis of the pyridine moieties. Basic additives effectively promoted the reaction rate and increased the chain length. Those facts and NMR of the resulting polymers indicated Michael-type polyaddition. The polymers from 2,6-BAAP were amorphous and gave transparent and tough films having a high refractive index exceeding 1.7. GPC and DSC characterizations were also made.