New polymer syntheses XII. Polyketones based on diarylidenecycloalkanones

Two new series of polyketones containing diarylidene links was synthesized by the Friedel–Crafts polymerization of diarylidenecyclopentanone or diarylidenecyclohexanone with aromatic diacid chlorides, azodibenzoyl chlorides, or aliphatic diacid chlorides. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range 0.76–1.18 dl/g and showed poor solubilities to common organic solvents excepts strong acids. The thermal stabilities of these polymers were evaluated and correlated to their structural units by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), DTG and DSC measurements. The TGA data revealed 10% weight losses at 190–300 °C. Moreover, the crystallinity of some polymers were tested by X-ray analyses and the UV–visible spectra showed characteristic absorption bands in the range 240–350 nm.