Synthesis and characterization of soluble aromatic azopolyamides containing sulfone and ether units

A series of new polyamides 3a–d containing aryl-azo, ether and sulfone groups in the main chain were synthesized from bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl sulfone] 1 and several azo aromatic diacyl chlorides 2a–d by the low temperature solution polycondensation technique. FTIR spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and elemental analyses confirmed the structure of these polymers. Owing to the aryl and amide groups in the main chain, these polymers exhibit photochromic properties as well as excellent thermal stabilities. The transition temperatures ( T g ) are between 242 and 265 °C, and the char yields at 800 °C in nitrogen atmosphere were above 39%. Based on incorporation of flexible ether linkages and polar sulfone groups, the polyamides show desirable solubility in organic solvents such as DMAc, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methyl-2-pyrroidinone (NMP) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). And it is exemplified that polyamide containing 2 and 2′ substitutes performed better solubility.