Synthesis and characterization of new photosensitive poly (oxyaryleneoxydisilane)s from 1,2-bis (diethylamino) tetramethyldisilane and various bisphenols

A new class of polymers containing a photosensitive disilane unit in the polymer main chain with inherent viscosities between 0.1 and 0.59 dL/g was prepared by the melt polycondensation of 1,2-bis (diethylamino) tetramethyldisilane and various bisphenols. The polymers were characterized by UV, IR, ¹H-NMR, and elemental analysis. Poly(oxyaryleneoxydisilane)s were soluble in a variety of common organic solvents and have a wide range of glass transition temperatures varying between −65 and 135°C, depending on the arylene structure. Most of the polymers were stable up to 350°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. The inherent viscosity of the polymer containing the 1,6-napthalene unit decreased drastically upon UV light irradiation, indicating its photodegradation.