Anthony P. Haag

Poly(hydroxy ether sulfonamides). A new class of epoxy‐based thermoplastics

Base-initiated polymerizations of N,′N-dimethyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide or other N,′N-dialkyldisulfonamides with various arylene-diglycidyl ethers afford a broad range of poly(hydroxy ether sulfonamides) (2). Polymers 2, which represent a new family of epoxy-based thermoplastics, are moldable, amorphous materials characterized by moderate Tg (58–127°C) and by good barrier to oxygen, reflected by oxygen transmission rates of 0.45–2.89 cc-mil/100 in2-atm (O2)-day at 234 °C and about 60% relative humidity. In addition to a discussion of how structural changes in the backbones of 2 influence their barrier properties, details of the synthesis, thermal analysis and mechanical evaluation of the polymers are described.