Self-assembling polycondensation of 4-aminobenzaldehyde. Preparation of star-like aggregates of cone-shaped poly(azomethine) crystals

Aromatic poly(azomethine)s belong to a class of high performance materials that are known because of their excellent thermal stability, good mechanical properties and environmental resistance, but more particularly as promising materials with optoelectrical, photonic and magnetic application. However, their high melting points and low solubility usually make them inaccessible for processing by conventional techniques. In order to improve their intractability, several approaches such as the introduction into the main chain of flexible aliphatic segments, bulky lateral substituents or fluorine groups are attempted.