Synthesis and characterization of new poly(ether amide)s based on a new cardo monomer

A new cardo diamine monomer 3, 3‐ bis ‐[4‐{2′trifluoromethyl 4′‐(4″‐aminophenyl) phenoxy} phenyl]‐2‐phenyl‐2, 3‐dihydro‐isoindole‐1‐one ( 4 ) has been synthesized from potentially cheap phenolphthalein as the starting material. This diamine was used for the synthesis of a new poly(ether amide) and two co‐poly(ether amide)s using 4, 4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (ODA) as co‐monomer by direct solution polycondensation with 5‐ t ‐butyl iso‐phthalic acid. These new polymers showed inherent viscosities of 0.48–0.62 dL g −1 . The resulting poly(ether amide) and co‐poly(ether amide)s were readily soluble in polar aprotic solvents like NMP, DMF, DMAc, DMSO, and pyridine. The polymers have been fully characterized by 1 H and 13 C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. These polymers showed glass transition temperatures in the range of 267–310°C. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated high thermal stability of these polymers at 5 and 10% weight loss temperature in air above 357°C and 419°C, respectively. The poly(ether amide) films cast from DMAc were flexible with tensile strength up to 91 MPa, elongations at break up to 11%, and modulus of elasticity up to 1.82 GPa. X‐ray diffraction measurements indicate the amorphous nature of the poly(ether amide)s. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.