Aryl methylene polymers prepared from chloral, bromal or glyoxalic acid

Abstract

Aryl methylene polymers are prepared from the reaction of an aromatic compound containing nuclear bonded hydrogen and either chloral, bromal, or glyoxalic acid in the presence of a strong acidic catalyst.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. A polymer composed of recurring units of the formula ##STR30## where R and R' are members selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and the methyl radical, X is a member selected from the class of --COOH and --CY 3  radicals, Z is a direct bond or is a member selected from the class consisting of --O--, --S--, the   .[.[(CH.sub.2).sbsb.nO--] .].       .Iadd.--o--(ch.sub.2).sub.2 o].sbsb.q .Iaddend.     radical, and divalent radicals of the general formula ##STR31## where Y is chlorine or bromine, Q is a member of the class of --O--, --S--, --SO 2  --,     >c=o     and divalent alkyl radicals of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, m is a whole number in excess of 1, and .[.n and q are whole numbers from 1 to 2, inclusive.]. .Iadd.q is a whole number equal to 1 or 2.Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR32## where m is a whole number greater than 1. 
     
     
       3. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR33## where m is a whole number greater than 1. 
     
     
       4. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR34## where m is a whole number greater than 1. 
     
     
       5. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR35## where m is a whole number greater than 1. 
     
     
       6. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR36## where m is a whole number greater than 1. 
     
     
       7. A polymer as in claim 1 composed of recurring structural units of the formula ##STR37## where m is a whole number greater than 1.