SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF NOVEL AROMATIC POLYAMIDES FROM 3,4-BIS(4-AMINOPHENYL)-2,5-DIPHENYLFURAN AND AROMATIC DIACID CHLORIDES

A new highly phenylated heterocyclic diamine, 3,4‐bis(4‐aminophenyl)‐2,5‐diphenylfuran, was synthesized in three steps from 4–‐nitrodeoxybenzoin. The low temperature solution polycondensation of the diamine with various aromatic diacid chlorides afforded tetraphenylfuran‐containing aromatic polyamides with inherent viscosities of 0.2–0.8 dL/g. Copolyterephthalamides were obtained from the diamine and 4,4′‐oxydianiline. The polyamides were generally soluble in a wide range of solvents that included N,N‐dimethylacetamide, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone, pyridine, and m‐cresol. Glass transition temperatures of the polyamides and copolyamides ranged from 302–342°C, and 10% weight loss was observed above 480°C in nitrogen. Copyright © 1990 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.