New azobenzene chromophores as monomers for synthesis of polyesters

Abstract

Two new azo-chromophores: 2,4-dihydroxy-4′-nitroazobenzene and 2,4-dihydroxy-4-azo-(4′-nitroazobenzo)benzene have been prepared. These diols have been applied as monomers for polyesters synthesized in condensation with diacid chlorides: isophthaloyl chloride and sebacoyl chloride. The copolymers consist of mixture of two new diols and chlorides have been obtained as well. The polymers were identified by infrared and elemental analysis. Character of polymers was determined using X-ray spectroscopy. Thermal properties of polyesters such as glass transition temperature and thermal stability were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method and thermogravimetric analysis. These polymers with azobenzene groups could find potential applications as holographic recording materials. The preliminary investigations of optical grating recording were carried out.