A new process for producing polyamide from polyester

A new process for producing polyamide from polyester and diamine was proposed. An attempt was made to produce polyamide 6T from polyethyleneterephthalate or dimethylterephthalate with hexamethylenediamine in water, o-dichlorobenzene and sulfolane. Characterization of the products by IR, elemental analysis, solution viscosity and GPC were carried out. It became clear that high molecular polyamide 6T could be obtained from polyethyleneterephthalate and hexamethylenediamine in sulfolane. The reaction mechanism was discussed from the viewpoint of the polymer effect and solvent effect. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1413–1423, 1999