Maxdem Incorporated

Maxdem Incorporation

Robert R Gagne

Mark S Trimmer

Matthew L Marrocco, Iii

Neil H Hendricks

Ying Wang

Matthew L Marrocco Iii

Rigid-rod and segmented rigid-rod polymers, methods for preparing the polymers and useful articles incorporating the polymers are provided. The polymers incorporate rigid-rod backbones with pendant solubilizing groups attached thereto for rendering the polymers soluble.

Rigid-rod polymers

Methods for preparing rigid-rod macromonomers having a polyaromatic backbone, solubilizing side groups, and reactive end groups are provided. Such methods include catalytic reductive coupling of substituted 1,4-dihaloaromatic compounds in the presence of an endcapping moiety.

Methods for preparing rigid-rod macromonomers with reactive end groups

Rigid-rod macromonomers, and methods for preparing such macromonomers, having a polyaromatic backbone, solubilizing side groups, and reactive side groups are provided. The macromonomers are chemically incorporated into polymer systems to provide stronger, stiffened polymers.

Macromonomers having reactive side groups

A soluble rigid-rod macromonomer is provided which has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein each A.sub.1, A.sub.2, A.sub.3, and A.sub.4, on each monomer unit, independently, is C or N, and each G.sub.1, G.sub.2, G.sub.3, and G.sub.4, on each monomer unit, independently, is H or a solubilizing side group, provided that at least one monomer unit has at least one solubilizing side group. The solubilizing side groups provide the macromonomers with a solubility of at least 0.5% by weight in the solvent system from which they are formed. E is a reactive end group, and the macromonomer has an average degree of polymerization, DP.sub.n, greater than 6. Such macromonomers are chemically incorporated into polymer systems to provide stronger stiffened polymers.

Macromonomers having reactive end groups

A soluble rigid-rod macromonomer is provided which has the following formula: ##STR1## wherein each G.sub.1, G.sub.2, G.sub.3, and G.sub.4, on each monomer unit, independently, is H or a solubilizing side group, provided that at least one monomer unit has at least one solubilizing side group. The solubilizing side groups provide the macromonomers with a solubility of at least 0.5% by weight in the solvent system from which they are formed. E is a reactive end group, and the macromonomer has an average degree of polymerization, DP.sub.n, greater than 6. Such macromonomers are chemically incorporated into polymer systems to provide stronger stiffened polymers.

Rigid-rod macromonomers, and methods for preparing such macromonomers, having a polyaromatic backbone, solubilizing side groups, and reactive end groups are provided. The macromonomers are chemically incorporated into polymer systems to provide stronger, stiffened polymers.

High-performance polymers having a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain length of at least 25 organic monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel; and solubilizing organic groups attached to at least 1% of the monomer units. The polymers are prepared in a solvent system which is a solvent for both the monomer starting materials and the rigid-rod polymer product.

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Robert R Gagne