Abstract
Six aromatic polyesters with ether-linkages were prepared from 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid) and naphthalenediol (ND) isomers which were 1,4-, 1,5-, 1,6-, 2,3-, 2,6- and 2,7-derivatives. The solution viscosity numbers ranged from 0.23 to 0.65 dL/g. The glass transition temperatures ranged from 142 to 179$\^{C}$. The initial decomposition temperatures were all above 400$\^{C}$, and the residue weights at 600$\^{C}$ were in the range of 50-64%. Only the polyesters derived from 1,5- and 2,6-NDs, which have a linear linking mode, were found to be semicrystalline and could form thermotropically nematic phase. Multiple melting phenomena and annealing of the polyester derived from 1,5-ND and related polymers are described. The experimental results show that the polyester derived from 1,4-ND of linear shape was amorphous and non-liquid crystalline. Particularly, the polyester derived from 2,3-ND could form a smectic mesophase as banana-shaped molecules, and this is ascribed to the C/sub_2v/ symmetry where highly kinked molecules are packed in the same direction.