A series of novel AB monomers such as 2‐[p‐carboxyphenyl]‐5,6‐diaminobenzimidazole hydrochloride have been synthesized. In addition, a new aromatic monomer, 1,3‐diamino‐4,6‐bis(p‐toluenesulfonamido)benzene has been prepared in high purity and substituted for 1,2,4,5‐tetraaminobenzene in a polymerization with terephthalic acid. Homopolymerization of the AB monomers, and polycondensation of monomer with terephthalic acid in polyphosphoric acid, produced the rod‐like para‐oriented polymer, poly[1,7‐dihydrobenzo(1,2‐d: 4,5‐d)diimidazole‐2,6‐diyl‐1,4‐phenylene]. The yellow polymer was completely soluble in methanesulfonic acid (MSA) and PPA, exhibiting intrinsic viscosities as high as 5 dl/g in MSA, and a blue opalescence in solution. Polymerization at temperatures above 225°C caused crystallization and subsequent precipitation to occur. Polymer thus obtained was completely insoluble in MSA and possessed a high degree of crystallinity as demonstrated by x‐ray analysis.

SynopsisA series of acetylene-terminated phenylquinoxalihe oligomers have been prepared which cure by addition, without the evolution of volatiles. The synthesis utilized the novel terminal acetylene end-capping reagent, 3-(3,4-diaminophenoxy)phenylacetylene. The end-capped oligomers were soluble (20-30%) in low-boiling organic solvents and exhibited a high degree of flow a t their softening temperatures. Thermal analytical data obtained on the oligomers indicated initial softening in the vicinity of 160°C and a strong polymerization exotherm reaching a maximum a t 274OC. Cured samples (8 hr a t 28OOC) exhibited Tg values of approximately 320OC. Mass spectrometry-thermogravimetric analysis of the polymers demonstrated that no volatiles were emitted during cure, and that decomposition of the resins initiated a t 465°C. Synthetic routes to the acetylene terminated phenylquinoxaline oligomers and the end-capping reagent are discussed as well as the physical properties of the oligomer and cured system.

We present here for the first time a novel environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of vinyl ester resin (VER).

A one-step thick film printing process has been established for patterning hydrophobic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) substrate materials with hydrophilic cellulose acetate. The opposing patterned substrate materials are brought within close proximity utilizing spacer material of defined thickness. The parallel-plate configured devices are capable of supporting autonomous fluid transport through capillarity. Minimum attainable path widths of 313.3 ± 17.9 lm can be achieved utilizing an affordable personal printer for photomask generation. In addition, a theoretical model for this system predicting meniscus position as a function of time and system architecture is posed along with experimental data which is found to be in good agreement with the model. Lastly, the curvature of the surface is approximated and exploited for the determination of the true pressure jump across the curved surface at the gas-liquid interface at all points on a discretized surface. The curvature associated pressure jump results are found to be consistent with the Laplace pressure approximation.