Synthesis of N-substituted poly(benzimidazole ketone ketone)s containing pyridine rings

Poly(N-arylenebenzimidazole ketone ketone pyridine)s have been prepared via N–C coupling reaction that removed the N–H sites from the novel bis(benzimidazoyl) derivatives with activated aromatic difluorides in sulfolane. The reaction was carried out at 210°C in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The structures of the polymers were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and elemental analysis. All resulting polymers showed essentially amorphous patterns. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric measurements showed that the polymers had high glass transition temperatures (>179°C), good thermostability, and high decomposition temperatures (>401°C). These novel polymers also showed easy solubility.