A new diol with a one-sided azobenzenecarboxyl group was prepared to be used for photosensible polymers synthesis. Azobenzene carboxyl containing polyurethane based on poly(tetramethylene oxide) diol of 2000 average molecular weight, 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate, and the mentioned azo diol, was obtained and characterized. Upon neutralization the acid form with metal acetate (Li ϩ1 , Ca ϩ2 ) or triethylamine azo carboxylate anionomers with an improved phase separation were obtained. Viscometric mea-surements of diluted dimethylformamide solutions exhibited evidence of polyelectrolyte behavior. Some aspects of the trans-cis photoisomerization have been examined to design in future various dyed aqueous dispersions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 96: 577-582, 2005
EXPERIMENTAL
Azobenzene carboxyl diol synthesis (Az-CD)To para-aminobenzoic acid (7.56 g, 55.2 mmol) dissolved in 100 mL water containing aqueous HCl (15