Effect of chain ends on the structure of aramid oligomers

Synthesis, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of aliphatic–aromatic aramid oligomers are reported with the aim of shedding light on the effect of end-chain substituent on the morphology and structure of poly(para-phenylene terephthalamide) or PPTA. Three types of X-ray powder diffraction patterns were observed: one similar to that of PPTA form I, one similar to that of PPTA form II, and an additional form never reported. Some compounds, differing by their internal distribution of amide–aromatic rings, adopt two different crystal structures, whereas compounds having the same internal amide–aromatic arrangements, but differing by the nature of the end-groups, can adopt the same crystal structure. This clearly shows that both factors influence the packing adopted by the chains. Single-crystal structures of two polymorphs of a nitro-terminated model compound were resolved; both forms incorporate dimethyl formamide, and both show completely different packing. Infrared amide I and II band positions of most studied compounds match those observed for PPTA forms I or II, indicating that they exhibit planar hydrogen bonded sheets of molecules.Key words: aramid, crystal structure, poly(para-phenylene terephtalamide).