New quinone polyetherurethane cationomers. Synthesis of some ionenes based on hydroquinone diamine

Polyetherurethane cationomers with hydroquinone groups in their main chains were synthesized by two-step Menschutkin reaction, using as partner 2,5-bis-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-hydroquinone. All polycations were characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. The absorption spectra suggested that into ionomeric backbone a small content of disubstituted benzoquinone appeares as result of oxidation of the hydroquinone inserted initially. A preliminary study of Fe induced oxidation and reduction (by UV irradiation in the presence of isopropyl alcohol, indicated irreversible oxidation of hydroquinone structure in the aqueous media. In the polymeric films swelled in isopropyl alcohol and irradiated, the reduction of disubstituted benzoquinone at hydroquinone occurred. Some tensile and thermal properties of corresponding films showed values typical to elastomeric polyurethanes.