RIGID-ROD POLYMERS

Abstract: High-performance polymers having a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain length of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95 % of the bonds are substantially parallel; and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least 1 % of the monomer units. The polymers are prepared in a solvent system which is a solvent for both the monomer starting materials and the rigid-rod polymer product.

Description: RIGID-ROD POLYMERS Field of the Invention This invention relates to soluble rigid-rod polymers having rigid-rod backbones and pendant, flexible, solu¬ bilizing organic groups attached to the backbone. The polymers can be used as self-reinforced engineeringplastics. The rigid-rod polymers can be utilized for the preparation of high tensile strength molecular composites of rigid-rod polymers and flexible coiled polymer binders. They can be used as matrix resins for fiber-containing composites. Background of the Invention High-performance fiber-polymer composites are rapidly achieving a prominent role in the design and construction of military and commercial aircraft, sports and industrial equipment, and automotive components. Composites fill the need for stiffness, strength, and low weight that cannot be met by other materials. The most widely utilized high- performance fiber-polymercomposites are composedof oriented carbon (graphite) fibers embedded in a suitable polymer matrix. To contribute reasonable strength and stiffness to the composite, the fibers must have an aspect ratio (length to width) of at least 25. Fabricating fiber-con¬ taining composites requires significant manual labor. Fiber-polymer composites cannot be recycled, and it is difficult to repair defective and/or damaged composite materials. Molecular composites offer the prospect of being high-performance materials which are much more economical and easier to process than the conventional fiber-polymer composite. In addition, molecularcomposites canbe recycla¬ ble and will be repairable. Molecular composites are composed of polymeric materials only. They contain no fibermaterial. Thus, molecular composites canbe fabricated much more simply than fiber-polymer compositions which contain macroscopic fibers. Molecular composites are materials composed of a rigid-rod polymer embedded in a flexible polymer matrix. Molecular composites with the optimum mechanical proper- ties will contain a large fraction, at least 30 percent, of rigid-rod polymers, with the balance being polymeric binder. Molecular composites may contain either oriented or unoriented rigid-rod polymers. A molecular composite requires that the rigid-rod polymer be effectively embedded in a flexible, possibly coil-like, matrix resin polymer. The flexible polymer serves to dispersethe rigid-rodpolymer, preventingbundling of the rigid-rod molecules. As in conventional fiber/resin composites, the flexible polymer in a molecular composite helps to distribute stress along the rigid-rod molecules via elastic deformation of the flexible polymer. Thus, the second, or matrix-resin, polymer must be sufficiently flexible to effectively surround the rigid-rod molecules while still being able to stretch upon stress. The flexible and rigid-rod polymers can also interact strongly via Van der Waals, hydrogen bonding, or ionic interactions. The advantages of molecular composites can only be realized with the use of rigid-rod polymers. Two technical difficulties have limited molecular composites to laboratory curiosities. Firstly, the prior art on molecular composites calls for merely blending or mixing a rigid-rod polymer with a flexible polymer. It is well known in the art that, in general, polymers of differing types do not mix. That is, homogeneous blends cannot be obtained. This rule also applies to rigid-rod polymers and the early molecular composites which could be made with only small weight fractions of a rigid-rod component. Increasing the fraction of the rigid-rod component will lead to phase separation, at which point a molecular com- posite can no longer be obtained. Secondly, rigid-rod polymers of significant molecular weight are exceedingly difficult to prepare. The tech¬ nical problem is exemplified by polyparaphenylene. During the polymerization of benzene, or other monomer leading to polyparaphenylene, thegrowingpolymerchainbecomes decreas- ingly soluble and precipitates from solution causing the polymerization to cease. This occurs after the chain has grown to a length of only six to ten monomer units. These oligomers, i.e., rigid-rod polymers, are too short to contribute to the strength of a composite. The lack of solubility is a general property of rigid-rod polymers, hence, polymerization is difficult. The solubility problem may be avoided in the special case in which the product polymer contains basic groups which can be protonated in strong acid and the polymeri¬ zation can be conducted in strong acid. For example, polyquinoline can be prepared in the acidic solvent dicresol- hydrogenphosphate, because the quinoline group interacts with the acidic solvent, preventing precipitation. The resulting polymers are soluble only in strong acids, making further processing difficult. Before molecular composites can become a practical reality, the problems of (a) blending the rigid-rod and flexible components into a stable homogeneous phase, and (b) the low solubility of the polymer, must be overcome. Summary of the Invention Rigid-rod polymers are polymers having a rigid-rod backbone formed from a plurality of monomer units joined together by covalent bonds, such as carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen covalent bonds. At least 95% of the covalent bonds bonding or connecting the monomer units will be parallel, that is, the longitudinal axis of all the covalent bonds between the monomer units will be substantially parallel, thus resulting in a polymer backbone that is linear and substantially straight. The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention are unique in that they are soluble in one or more organic solvent(s) . The polymer and the monomers are soluble in a common solvent system so that the polymer will remain in a dissolved state in the poly- merization solvent system. The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention are made soluble by pendant solubilizing organic groups which are attached to the backbone, that is, to the monomer units. The organic groups are flexible groups, to impart increased solubility and eltability to the polymer. The organic groups will also be the functional equivalent of the coil-like matrix component of a molecular composite. Thus, the rigid-rod polymers of the present invention have incorporated rod-like and coil-like com¬ ponents to a single molecular species. Rigid-rod polymers are in general highly insoluble ([except in the special caes of polymers with basic groups which may be dissolved in strong acid) and infusible. These properties make them difficult, and often impos¬ sible, to prepare and process. We have found, surpris- ingly, that the incorporation of appropriate side groups to the polymer substantially improves solubility and fusi¬ bility. Earlier work has suggested that side groups do not increase the solubility of rigid-rod polymers. However, by increasing the size of the side chain and by matching its properties (principally, polarity and dielectric con- stant) to the polymerization solvent, rigid-rod polymers of substantial molecular weight can be prepared. For example, when the polymerization is carried out in a polar solvent, such as dimethyl ormamide, the solubilizing organic groups will preferably be polar and will have high dielec¬ tric constants, such as dielectric constants greater than 5. Further, if the side chains are flexible, the rigid- rod backbone/flexible side-chain polymer alone will behave as a molecular composite. Since the flexible component is chemically bound to the rigid component, phase separation is not possible. The structure of the rigid-rod back¬ bone/flexible side-chain polymers of the present invention can be prepared in common solvents and can be processed with standard methods to give a stable, single-component, molecular composite useful for structural and other appli¬ cations requiring high strength and modulus. The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention are the primary source of the tensile strength and modulus of molecular composites. Preferably, when employed as a self-reinforcing plastic, the rigid-rod polymer will have an aspect ratio of at least 100, that is, the backbone of the polymers will have a length of at least 100 times greater than the width of the backbone. For other uses, the rigid-rod polymer can have an aspect ratio of 25 or more. Preferably, the aspect ratio of the polymer will be far greater than 100. The polymer backbone will be substan¬ tially linear, with no flexibility that could result in nonlinearity. Accordingly, the polymers should be made employing processes which are not prone to the formation of occasional kinks or other imperfections interfering with the linearity of the backbone. Nonetheless, almost all chemical reactions have side reactions, and, accord¬ ingly, some nonparallel covalent bonds between the monomer units will result during the formation. However, the rigid-rod polymers will have at least 95% parallel covalent bonds. The polymers of the present invention comprise a rigid-rod backbone comprising at least about 25 monomer units, preferably at least about 100 monomer units, joined together by covalent bonds, such as carbon-carbon or carbon- nitrogen covalent bonds, wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, the polymer and its monomers being soluble in a common solvent system. Organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least 300 are attached to the rigid-rod backbone, that is, to some of the monomer units of the backbone. The polymer can be a copolymer of two or more monomers. By the term "monomer unit" it is meant the basic, organic, structural units of the polymer rigid-rod backbone chain, such as phenylene groups, aromatic groups, and/or heterocyσlic groups, including any attached side chain, i.e., organic groups. By the term "monomers," for the purposes of the present invention, it is meant the immediate chemical precursors to the polymer. Because most of the polymerization reactions described herein are condensation polymerizations, a monomer will typically lose one or more functional group(s) with respect to the corresponding monomer unit. For example, the monomer dichlorobenzene (CgH 4 Cl 2 ) polymerizes to a polymer with phenylene (C 6 H 4 ) monomer units. A monomer may have an attached side chain which is itself a polymer. For the purpose of the present invention, such a monomer will be written as any other monomer with a side group; for example, 2-(polyorgano)-1,4-dichlorobenzene or 2-(poly-2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)terephthalic acid. The corresponding monomer units would be 2-(polyorgano)- 1,4-phenylene and 2-(poly-2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)- 1,4-phenylene. An alternate nomenclature would treat the monomers as end-capped polymers; for example, terephthalic acid-terminated poly-2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide. The latter nomenclature will not be used herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the rigid-rod polymer is a homopolymer; the same organic or pendant group(s) occur(s) on each monomer unit. The side chains are chosen to enhance solubility, especially in the poly¬ merization solvent system. For example, polar groups, such as N,N-dimethylamido groups, will enhance solubility in polar solvents. Less polar side groups, such as ethers, aryl and alkyl groups, are used in less polar solvents. The organic groups should be of sufficient size to affect solubility, i.e., greater than about 300 molecular weight. In a second embodiment of the invention, the polymer is a copolymer of two or more monomer unit types, and the majority of monomer units will be unsubstituted or substi¬ tuted with organic groups having molecular weights of less than 300. However, at least one out of every 100 monomer units will have a pendant solubilizing organic group having a molecular weight of at least 300 ("solubilizing organic group" herein) . In a third embodiment of the invention, the rigid-rod polymer is a copolymer having two or more monomer unit types. The side chains, i.e., organic groups, are chosen to enhance solubility, as discussed above. As stated above, the polymer can be formed from two different monomer units or monomers, three different monomer units or monomers, four different monomer units or monomers, and the like. At least one out of every 100 monomer units in the rigid-rod backbone has solubilizing organic groups attached to the monomer units. Preferably, more than one out of every 100 monomer units or monomers have solubilizing organic groups. The molecular-weight fraction of the side chains, i.e., solubilizing organic groups, to the whole polymer is from about 30% to about 95%, preferably from about 30% to about 60%, and most preferably from about 45% to about 55%. By "molecular-weight fraction" it is meant the percentage of the solubilizing organic groups' molecular weight to the total molecular weight of the rigid-rod polymer (i.e., molecular weight of monomer units and organic groups) . Thus, for example, if the total weight of the polymer is 1,000,000, and the molecular weight total of the solubilizing organic groups is 500,000, the molecular- weight fraction of the solubilizing organic groups is 50% (500,000/1,000,000) X 100. There does not appear to be a universally recognized nomenclature scheme for many of the monomeric units of the present invention. For example, 1,4-phenylene (see Formula IA) is sometimes named benzene-l,4-didehydro; 1,10-anthra- cenyl (see Formula XVA) is sometimes named 1,10-anthrylene; 2,6-quinoline (see Formula XA) is sometimes named 2,6- quinolinediyl; and 1,5-naphthylene (see Formula XIIIA) is sometimes named 1,5-naphthenylene. Accordingly, the mono¬ meric units have been named in accordance with the nomen¬ clature used in current literature. Detailed Description of the Invention The soluble rigid-rod polymers of the present invention can be made from virtually any organic monomer or monomers that can bond via parallel covalent bonds. Preferably, the soluble rigid-rod polymers of the present invention comprise a rigid-rod backbone comprising one or more of the following monomer units: paraphenyl, parabiphenyl, paraterphenyl, 2,6-quinoline, 2,6-quinazoline, paraphenylene- 2-benzobisthiazole, paraphenylene-2-benzobisoxazole, para- phenylene-2-benzobisimidazole, paraphenylene-l-pyromel- liti ide, 2,6-naphthylene, 1,4-naphthylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-anthracenyl, 1,10-anthracenyl, 1,5-anthracenyl, 2,6- anthracenyl, 9,10-anthracenyl, and 2,5-pyridinyl. However, the rigid-rod polymers of the present invention can also be made from other monomer units, in addition to those named above. The polymer will be at least 25 monomer units in length, preferably at least 100 monomer units in length, and, most preferably, longer than 100 monomer units. The polymer can be a homopolymer of a single monomer or a copolymer of two or more different monomers or monomer units. The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention will have at least one monomer unit for each 100 monomer units in the rigid-rod backbone substituted with a solubilizing organic group having an average molecular weight of at least 300, that is, the average molecular weight of the solubilizing organic groups will be at least 300. Prefer¬ ably, the polymer will have more than one monomer unit per 100 monomer units substituted with solubilizing organic groups. The solubilizing organic groups which are substi¬ tuted on, attached to, or pendant to, the monomer units are long-chain organic molecules that have solubility in one or more organic solvent system(s) . Solubilizing organic groups which can be used include alkyl groups, aryl groups, alkaryl groups, aralkyl groups, alkyl or aryl amide groups. alkoxy groups, polyalkeneoxy groups, polyphenylene oxide groups, polyphenylene sulfide groups, polystyrene groups, polyvinyl chloride groups, polyalkylmethacrylate groups, polyacrylonitrile groups, polyalkylvinyl ether groups, polyvinyl alcohol groups, polyvinyl acetate groups, per- fluoroalkyl groups, perfluoroalkoxy groups, polyester groups, polyimidegroups, polyamidegroups, andpoly(phenoxy- phenyl ketone) groups. Other long-chain organic groups having an average molecular weight of no less than 300 can also be used as solubilizing organic groups. The monomer units of the rigid-rod copolymers can also have pendant organic groups having an average molecular weight of less than 300. Such organic groups include alkyl groups, aryl groups, alkaryl groups, aralkyl groups, alkyl or aryl amide groups, alkoxy groups, polyalkeneoxy groups, polyphenylene oxide groups, polyphenylene sulfide groups, polyviny chloride groups, polyalkylmethacrylate groups, polyacrylonitrile groups, polyalkyl vinyl ether groups, polyvinyl alcohol groups, polyvinyl acetate groups, per- fluoroalkyl groups, perfluoroalkoxy groups, polyester groups, polyamide groups, polyimide groups, and poly-(phen- oxyphenyl ketone) groups. The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention are linear polymers with parallel covalent bonds between the monomer units. The monomer units are not necessarily in a straight line. In some polymers, the majority of monomer units will be in a straight line (see chain A below) . In other polymers, the monomer units will be staggered in a stair-like fashion (see chain B below) or in a crankshaft- like fashion (see chain C below) . The monomer units can rotate about the linear axis of the covalent bonds between the monomers. However, the monomerunits are restricted from flexing with respect to the bond, thus forming a rigid-rod polymer. Although the covalent bonds between the monomer units do not necessarily line up in a straight line, the bonds are parallel to yield a substantially linear rigid- rod polymer. Chain A In one embodiment of the present invention, the rigid- rod polymers of the present invention will have at least one of the Group A monomer units, i.e., the monomer units of Formula IA, IIA, IIIA, IVA, VA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IXA, XA, XIA, XIIA, XIIIA, XIVA, XVA, or XVIA below. In another embodiment of the present invention, the rigid-rod polymers will have at least one of the Group A monomer units and at least one of the Group B monomer units of Formula IB, IIB, IIIB, IVB, VB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, IXB, XB, XIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, or XVIB below: 25 wherein R lf R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different 35 and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R^, , R3, and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R^, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300; and X is NH, 0, or S. VIIIA 10 35 XIIIA 35 wherein R 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly- polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R 5 and Rg is at least 300. wherein R 8 , Rg, Rχo, and ~ W- can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of Rg, Rg, Rio, and R ι;L is no greater than 300; and X is NH, O, or S. VIIIB 25 35 35 wherein R^ and R j _ 3 can be the same or different and are 20 hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, pβrfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy- 25 phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R 12 and R^ 3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. If the rigid-rod polymer is a homopolymer, the polymer is formed from a monomer unit of Group A above. The alkyl groups can have one or more carbon atoms 30 and can be straight-chained or branch-chained alkyls or polycyσloalkyls, such as C 2 2 alkyls (i.e., alkyls of at least 22 carbon atoms), C 72 alkyls, C^ Q O alkyls, Cι 63 alkyls, and the like. The aryl organic groups can be monoaryls or polyaryls, such as phenyl, naphthyl, anthra- 35 cyl, polyphenylene, and polyanthracenylene. The alkaryls are aromatic groups substituted with one or more alkyl groups, preferably polyaryl substituted with alkyl groups, such as poly(methyl)phenylene, poly(dibutylnaphthalene) , poly(tri-tetraσontylanthryl) , poly(dioctyl)phenylene, poly(pentadeσyl)naphthylene, poly(hentriaσontyl)anthra- cenylene, and the like. Aralkyl organic groups are alkyl groups substituted with one or more aryl groups such as phenyloctyl, dinaphthyltriacontyl, and the like. Alkyl and aryl amide organic groups are alkyl groups (described above) or aryl groups (described above) connected to the monomer unit through an amide linkage. Alkoxy organic groups are alkyl groups (described above) connected to the monomer unit through an oxygen-ether linkage, such as hexadecyloxy. Polyalkyleneoxy organic groups are homopolymers and copolymers of alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, octadecylene oxide, and the like, joined to the monomer unit by an ether linkage. Polyphenylene oxide organic groups are polymers containing two or more phenylene groups joined to each other through an ether linkage, and the polymer, in turn, is attached to the monomer unit by an ether linkage. Polyphenylene sulfide is a polymer having two or more phenylene groups, each phenylene group being connected to adjacent phenylene groups by thioether linkage, and the polymer, in turn, is attached to the monomer unit by thioether linkage. The polyvinyl chloride organic group is a polymer containing two or more vinyl chloride monomer units. The polymer molecular weight can be from 124 to over several million. The polyalkylmethacrylate organic group is a polymer of alkylmethacrylates, such as ethylmethacrylate. These polymers can have molecular weights from about 200 up to several million. The polyacrylonitrile organic group is a polymer of two or more acrylonitrile monomers. These polymers have molecular weights from about 100 to several million. The polyvinyl alcohol organic group is a polymer having one or more vinyl alcohol monomer(s) . This polymer can have molecular weights of from about 100 up to several million. The polyvinyl acetate organic group is a polymer formed from one or more vinyl acetate monomer(s) and can have a molecular weight of from about 150 to several million. Perfluoroalkyl organic groups are alkyl organic groups (described above) wherein all of the hydrogen atoms have been replaced by fluorine. The perfluoroalkoxy organic group is an alkoxy organic group (described above) wherein all of the hydrogen atoms havebeen substituted with fluorine atoms. The polyester groups are alkyl or aryl polymers having the monomer units connected by ester linkages; these groups can have a molecular weight of from about 100 to several million. The polyamide organic groups are alkyl or aryl polymers having the monomer units connected by amide linkages. The molecular weight of these groups can be from about 150 to several million. The polyimide organic groups are polymers having the monomer units con- nected by imide linkages and can have a molecular weight of from about 200 to several million. Poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) organic groups are comprised of phenylene oxide and benzoyl units, as, for example polyetheretherketone and polyetherketone (PEK) : The poly-(phenoxyphenylketone) organic group is connected to the monomer unit of the rigid-rod backbone either by a carbonyl group or an ether linkage. For the rigid-rod copolymers of the present invention, at least one out of every 100 monomer units will be a Group A monomer unit. The molecular-weight fraction of the solubilizing organic groups R ] _ through R^ of the polymer will be between about 30% and about 95%, preferably between about 30% and about 60%, and most preferably between about 45% and about 55% of the whole polymer (backbone and organic groups) . Polymers of the present invention containing the monomer units of Formula IA, IIA, IIIA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IXA, XA, XIA, XIIA, XIIIA, XIVA, XVA, or XVIA can be prepared from the corresponding dihalo monomer starting material of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, IXC, XC, XIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, or XVIC below, respectively, wherein R lf R 2 , R3, R4, R5, and R 6 are as defined above, and W is Cl, Br, or I. Similarly, the copolymers of the present invention that contain monomer units of Formula IB, IIB, IIIB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, IXB, XB, XIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, or XVIB can be prepared from the corresponding monomer starting material of Formula ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, IXD, XD, XID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, or XVID below, respectively, wherein Rg, R9, Rio R ll R 12' and R 13 are as defined above, and W is Cl, Br, or I. iO 25 35 VIIIC IB 5 5 XIIIC 25 10 25 HID 30 35 10 25 35 VIIID 10 25 35 XIIID 5 The first and third rings of the terphenyl monomer units or monomers of Formulae IIIA, IIIB, IIIC, and HID are not substituted with solubilizing organic groups (R 1; R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 ) or organic groups (R 8 , R 9 , Rio and Rχι) . However, the first and third rings of the terphenyl monomer unit or monomer can be substituted with solubilizing organic groups or organic groups in the same manner as the second (middle) ring of the terphenyl monomer unit or monomer. The monomer units of Formulae VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, IXA, XA, XIA, XIIA, XIIIA, XIVA, XVA, XVIA, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, IXB, XB, XIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, and VIB, and the monomer of VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, IXC, XC, XIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, XVIC, VID, VIID, VIIID, IXD, XD, XID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, or XVID are shown substituted with two solubilizing organic groups (R 5 and Rg) or organic groups ( 12 and R 13 ) • However, these groups can be substituted with more than two solubilizing organic groups or organic groups or example, the naphthyl group can be substituted with up to six groups (groups R 5 and Rg or R 12 and R 13 ) , the anthracenyl group can be substituted with up to eight groups, the pyridinyl group can be substituted with up to three groups, the quinolinyl groups can be substituted with up to five groups, and the diazaanthracenyl group can be substituted with up to six groups. The polymers of the present invention having pyro- mellimide monomer units joined by aromatic monomer units. such as a phenyl monomer, a biphenyl monomer, a terphenyl monomer, a 2,6-naphthyl monomer, a 2,6-anthracenyl monomer, a 9,10-anthracenyl monomer, a 1,4-naphthyl monomer, a 1,5- naphthyl monomer, a 1,4-anthracenyl monomer, a 1,10-anthra- cenyl monomer, or a 1,5-anthracenyl monomer can be prepared from the corresponding diamino monomers of Formulae IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC, wherein W is amino and R^ R 2 , R3, R4, R5, and Rg are as defined above, and pyromellitiσ anhydride, in accord- ance with the condensation reaction described herein. Copolymers containing the benzobisthiazole monomer units canbe prepared from 2,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiazole and the monomers of Formulae IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, XVIC, ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, and XVID, wherein W is COOH and Rl, R 2 , R3, R4, R5, Rg, Rs, R g, io, R ll/ R 12' and R 13 are as defined herein, by treating such monomers with 2,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiol in polyphosphoriσ acid at elevated temperatures as described herein. Copolymers containing the benzobisoxazole monomer units can be prepared from 2,5-diamino-l,4-dihydroxybenzene and the monomers of Formulae IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, XVIC, ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, and XVID, wherein W is COOH and Rl, R 2 , R3, R4, R5, Rg, Rg, Rg, Rχo, R ii, R i2, said R 13 are as defined above, by treating the monomers with 2,5-diamino-l,4-dihydroxybenzene in polyphosphoric acid at elevated temperatures. Copolymers containing the benzobisimidazole monomer units can be prepared from 1,2,4,5-tetraaminobenzene and the monomers of Formulae IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, XVIC, ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, and XVID, wherein W is COOH and R lf R 2 , R 3 , R , R 5 , Rg, R 8 , Rg, R i0 , R11, R12, and R 13 are as defined above, by treating the monomers with 1,2,4,5- tetraaminobenzene inpolyphosphoric acid at elevated tempera¬ tures as described herein. The copolymers containing the monomer units benzobis- thiazole, benzobisoxazole or benzobisimidazole (the monomer units of Formulae VA and VB, where X is S, O or NH, respec¬ tively) are shown with a phenyl comonomer unit. These polymers, however, can have other aryl monomer units, such as 4,4•-biphenyl, 4* ,4"-terphenyl, 2,6-naphthyl, 2,6-anthra- cenyl, 9,10-anthracenyl, 1,4-naphthylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-anthracenyl, 1,10-anthracenyl, and 1,5-anthracenyl monomers of Formulae IA, IIA, IIIA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, XIIA, XIIIA, XIVA, XVA, XVIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, and XVIB. Substituted quinoline monomers can be prepared by treating l-acetyl-4-nitrobenzene with an organic cyanide, such as phenylacetonitrile, phenoxyphenylaσetonitrile, polyphenyleneoxide acetonitrile (aσetonitrile-terminated polyphenylene oxide) , toproduce the corresponding isoxazole, which is reduced to the corresponding 2-organocarbonyl-4- acetyl-aniline, which is polymerized to produce the corres¬ ponding poly-2,6-(4-organoquinolines) . Polyquinolines can also be produced by polymerizing a 4,4'-diamino-3,3'di- organocarbonyl biphenyl and a 4,4'-organoacetyl biphenyl to formpoly(4,4 » -biphenyl-4-organo-2,6-quinoline-4-organo- 6,2-quinoline) rigid-rod polymers. The biphenyl groups can also be substituted with organic groups. For example, a 4,4•-diamino-3,3*-diorganocarbonyl biphenyl can be poly¬ merized with a 3,3'-diorgano-4,4'-diacetyl biphenyl to yield a poly(3,3'-diorgano-4,4'-biphenyl,4-organo-2,6- quinoline-4-organo-6,2-quinoline) . The rigid-rod polymers of the present invention are made in accordance with well-known chemical polymerization and addition reactions. Processes for preparing polypara- phenylenes are described in T. Yamamoto et al. Bull. Chem. Soc. Jap.. 51, 7, 2091 (1978) and M. Zembayashi et al. Tet. Lett.. 47, 4089 (1977) . The same processes can be used to prepare polyparadiphenylenes, polyparaterphenyl- enes, poly-2,6-naphthylenes, poly-2,7-anthracenes, poly- 1,4-naphthylene , poly-1,5-naphthylene, poly-1, -anthracenyl, poly-1,10-anthracenyl, poly-1,5-anthracenyl, and poly- 9 r 10-anthracenes of the present invention. Processes for preparing poly-p-phenylenebenzobisoxazole are described in J.F. Wolfe and F.E. Arnold, Macromolecules. 14, 909 (1981) and U.S. Patent 4,229,556. Processes for preparing poly- p-phenylenebenzo-bisthiazole are described in J.F. Wolfe and B.H. Loo, Macromolecules. 14. 915 (1981) and U.S. Patent 4,229,556. Processes for preparing poly-p-phenylene- bisimidazole are described in U.S. Patent 4,229,556. Processes for preparing polyquinolines are described in J.K. Stille, U.S. Patent, 4,000,187. The processes of preparation of the rigid-rod polymers of the present invention employ chemical polymerization addition reactions in solvent systems in which the rigid- rod polymers and the monomer starting materials are mutually soluble. Thus, if the rigid-rod polymers are to be synthe¬ sized in polar solvents, the pendant solubilizing organic groups of the polymer and the monomer starting material will be a group that is soluble in polar solvents. Simi¬ larly, if the rigid-rod polymers are to be synthesized in non-polar solvents, the pendant solubilizing organic group on the rigid-rod polymer and the monomer starting material will be a group that is soluble in non-polar solvents. Paraphenylene polymers (made up of monomer units of Formula I) can be prepared by the coupling of Grinard reagents with paraphenyl dihalides catalyzed by transition metal complexes. Thus, a mixture of 4-bromo-phenylmagnesium bromide (1 mole) and 4-bromo-3-alkyl-phenylmagnesiu bromide (0.01 mole) , the alkyl group having an average chain length of about 24 carbon atoms, will react in an ether solvent in the presence of a transition metal complex to yield a polyparaphenylene rigid-rod polymer having about one monomer unit per 100 monomer units substituted with a long-chain alkyl group. The transition metal-catalyzed coupling reaction proceeds selectively and quantitatively under mild conditions. In another variant of the reaction, 1,4- dibromobenzene (1.0 mole) and a 1,4-dibromobenzene substi¬ tuted with a long-chain alkoxy group (0.1 mole) can be coupled in the presence of magnesium metal and a transition metal catalyst in an inert solvent, such as ether, to produce a polyparaphenylene rigid-rod polymer having on the average about one monomer unit out of 10 monomer units substituted with a long-chain alkoxy group. A variety of dihalogenated benzenes (monomers of Formula IC) , biphenyls (monomers of Formulae IIC and IID) , terphenyls (monomers of Formulae IIIC and HID) , anthracenes (monomers of Formulae VIIC, VIIIC, VIID, and VIIID) , pyridines (monomers of Formulae IXC and IXD) , naphthalenes (monomers of Formulae VIC and VID) , quinolines (monomers of Formulae XC and XD) , and 1,5-diazoanthracenes (monomers of Formulae XIC and XID) can be polymerized using these methods. The net reaction resembles the dehalogenation polymerization of dihaloaromatic compounds with copper and sodium. Dibromo- substituted compounds are the compounds of choice for the reaction; however, in many instances, the dichloro compound can also be used, if the reaction can be initiated. We have found that the NiCl 2 (2,2'-bipyridine) transition metal catalyst works satisfactorily for this reaction. Coupling of aryl halides can also be carried out with nickel or palladium catalysts with zinc. This approach has distinct advantages, since a wider variety of solvents can be employed, such as, N,N-dimethylforamide, hexamethyl- phosphoric, triamide, and benzene. This coupling reaction can also be used with monomers having specially reactive groups, such as nitrile and carbonyl groups. In addition, zinc is less expensive and easier to handle than magnesium. The polyimide-type rigid-rod copolymers (made up of monomer units of Formulae IVA and IVB) can be prepared by condensing anhydrides with amines or isocyanates, preferably condensing dianhydride monomers with diamine monomers or diisocyanate monomers. For example, polyphenylenemel- litimides can be prepared from paraphenylenediamine, which can be substituted at the 2, 3, 5, and/or 6 positions. Linear, rigid-rod polyi ides can be formed by condensing pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) with aryl diamines, i.e., p-diaminobenzene. For example, the PMDA can be condensed with 2,6-anthracene diamines. The resulting polyimide will be a rigid-rod polymer capable of twisting and will contain a "crankshaft-type" arrangement in the backbone. (See chain C.) Likewise, benzidine derivatives (4,4'- diaminobiphenyl) which have extended phenoxyphenyl and phenoxybiphenyl appendages can be used. Although the polyimide-type rigid-rod copolymers have been illustrated with the monomer units of Formulae IVA and IVB, the polymers can have other aryl monomer units with the pyromellitimide monomer unit, wherein the aryl monomer units are the 4,4'-biphenyl, 4,4"-terphenyl, 2,6-naphthyl, 2,6-anthracenyl, 9,10-anthracenyl, 1,4-naphthylene, 1,5- naphthylene, 1,4-anthracenyl, 1,10-anthraσenyl, and 1,5- anthracenyl monomer units of Formulae IA, IIA, IIIA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, XIIA, XIIIA, XIVA, XVA, XVIA, IB, IIB, IIIB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, and XVIB. High-molecular-weightpolyimides (therigid-rodpolymers having the monomer units of Formulae IVA and IVB) can be obtained by executing the condensation reaction in two stages. In the first stage, the initial reaction forms a polyamic acid which can be obtained in high molecular weight. In the second stage, the reaction is carried out at a higher temperature, with or without a solvent, to cause a dehydrocyclization to form the polyimide. Flexible polymers, such as the polyisoimide, are much more soluble than rigid-rod polymers, and, thus, the polyisoimide pre- poly er can be prepared in the solvent system which is favorable to the condensation reaction and yet not a good solvent for the rigid-rod polyimide. After preparation of the prepolymer, the prepolymer can be isolated and redis- solved into a second solvent system in which the polyimide will be soluble. Conversion of the polyamic acid to the fully imidized polymer yields a linear, kink-free, rigid- rod polymer. Dehydrating agents may be employed to promote cyclization of the polyamic acid intermediate. Most chemical dehydrating agents, such as aliphatic acid anhydrides, ketenes, and phosphorus trichloride, affect the formation of cyclized polyimide. Certain reagents, including tri¬ fluoroacetic anhydride and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, promote the conversion of the polyamic acid to the cor¬ responding isoimide polymer, which usually can be thermally converted to the cyclic polyimide. The solubility of the growing polymer enhanced by the side-chain appendages (i.e., organic groups) will contribute to the formation of polyimides with high molecular weights. When both the polyimides and the precursor polyamic acids are soluble in a given medium, such as in an amide solvent (for example, N,N-dimethylacetamide and N-methylpyrrolidone) , polyimid- ization can be carried out in two stages at different reaction temperatures. When it is found that the fully imidized polymers have greater solubility in a different solvent than the precursor polyamic acids, it may be advan¬ tageous to isolate the polyamic acids and carry out the imidization in a second solvent. Alternatively, the polyamic acids can be prepared in a solvent, precipitated out, and the resulting solid polyamic acid can be fully imidized by heating. Diisocyanates can be used in place of diamines. Isocyanates react with pyro ellitic dianhydride to give seven-membered cyclic intermediates which spontaneously collapse to yield a polyimide. The isocyanate monomers may be more difficult to prepare than the corresponding diamines. Preferably, when the preparation of rigid-rod polymers is carried out by anodic polymerization, the monomer should be free of the following organic side groups: polyalkyl¬ methacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and polyimide. When the rigid-rod polymers are prepared under Grinard conditions, the following types of organic groups may react with the Grinard reagents, causing undesirable side reactions: alkoxy, aryloxy, polyalkeneoxy, poly¬ phenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, perfluoroalkoxy, andphenoxyphenylperfluoroisopropylidene. Rigid-rodpolymers prepared under Grinard conditions preferably do not contain the following organic groups which are not compatible with Grinard conditions: polyalkylmethacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl chloride. Rigid- rod polymers with such side chains can be prepared with the process described by I. Colon and D. Kelsey, J. Orσ. Chem.. 51. 2627 (1986). If the I. Colon et al process is used, the side chains of the monomers are preferably free of acidic protons, such as polyvinyl alcohol. The polyvinyl alcohol side chain can be prepared from the corresponding polyvinyl acetate side chain by hydrolysis of the latter. The choice of solvents for the various polymerization or condensation reactions will be somewhat dependent on the reaction type and the type of solubilizing organic groups appended to the monomers. For the condensation of aryl monomers employing Grinard reagents with transition metal catalysts, the solvents of choice are ethers, and the best solubilizing side chains are polyethers, such as polyethylene oxide, and long-chain alkyls. Anodic polymeri¬ zation is done in acetonitrile-type solvents, and the aromatic side chains, such as polyphenylene and polystyrene, would be the favored side chains. Cathodic polymerizations can be done in dimethylforamide and N-methylpyrrolidone. More polar side chains, such as polyacrylates and polyvinyl- alcohols, would be advantageous in such solvent systems. The monomer units are known or can be prepared by conventional chemical reactions from known starting mater- ials. For example, the paradihalobenzene monomers substi¬ tuted at the 2 position with an alkoxy group can be prepared from the corresponding 2,5-dihalophenol by allowing the phenol in the presence of sodium hydroxide and benzyltri- ethylammonium chloride to react with the corresponding 1- haloalkyl, such as 1-bromohexadecane. Para-dibromo-terphenyl monomers, di-substituted with aryl or aryloxide groups on the middle phenyl group, can be prepared from the corresponding diphenyl, phenoxyphenyl, or polyphenoxyphenyl diketones. For example, a double Friedel-Crafts acylation of oxalyl chloride with diphenyl ether yields 4,4'-diphenoxybenzil. Treatment of this diketone with l,3-di(para-bromophenyl)-2-propanone forms 2,5-di(para-bromophenyl)-3,4-diphenoxyphenyl tetracyclone. Finally, tetracyclone is treated with norbornadiene to give4,4"-dibromo-2' ,3 '-di(para-phenoxyphenyl)para-terphenyl. Alternatively, the final reaction can be carried out in the presence of acetylenes to include 5' and/or 6' substi¬ tutions on the terphenyls. The para-dihalobenzenes substituted with oligomeric phenyleneoxide-solubilizing organic groups can be prepared by the reduction of the corresponding substituted para- nitroanilines to diamines. The substituents can be alkox- ides, phenoxides, and the like. Diazotization of the paradiamines followed by bromination (copper bromide; Sandmeyer reaction) yields the corresponding substituted paradibromobenzenes. The corresponding Grinard reagents can then be utilized in the nickel-catalyzed polymeriza¬ tion discussed above to give substituted polyphenylenes. Alternatively, alkoxy- and phenoxy-substituted dihalo- benzenes can be prepared by treating bromoterephthalic acid or the corresponding dibromo compound with alkoxides or phenoxides to form the corresponding alkoxide- or phen- oxide-substituted teraphthalic acids. The halodeσarboxyla- tion by the modified Hunsdieker reaction using mercuric oxide, bromine and visible light, yields the corresponding substituted dibromobenzenes. In the past, these copper- catalyzed ether-forming reactions were executed under rather forcing conditions. However, several variations to the Ullmann ether condensation have been developed which tolerate many functional groups anddo not require activating (electron-withdrawing) groups in the electrophilic substrate and proceed under relatively mild reaction conditions. Polyalkylene oxide or polyphenylene oxide substituents can be added to aryl groups, including phenyl groups, etc., by a diazonium route. For example, a benzene monomer can be prepared from a paradichlorobenzene which is nitrated to yield the corresponding 2-nitro-l,4-diσhlorobenzene, reducing the nitrate group to an amine group, and diazo- tization of the amine groups to yield corresponding p- dichlorobenzenediazonium salt. The diazonium salt is treated with alkoxy alcohols, such as ethoxyethanol (Cello- solve™) , 2-(2-ethoxy-ethoxy)ethanol, 2-methoxyethanol, 2- (2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, and the like, to form the corres¬ ponding polyalkaleneoxy-substituted dichlorobenzenes. The diazonium salt is treated with aryl alcohols, such as phenol, phenoxyphenol, poly(phenoxy)phenol, and the like, to form the corresponding polyphenyleneoxy-substituted dichlorobenzenes. The substituted aryl paradiamines are prepared by a variety of routes. For example, alkoxy-, polyalkalene- oxy-, and polyphenylene oxide-substituted benzenediamines can be prepared from 2-bromo-4-nitroaniline by forming the corresponding trifluoroacetamide, then treatment with alkoxides or phenoxides. The nitrate group is reduced to form the corresponding substituted benzenediamine. Alterna- tively, 2-hydroxy-4-nitroaniline can be treated with poly- alkyleneoxyalkyl iodide or polyphenyleneoxidephenyl iodide to yield the corresponding alkoxy-, polyalkyleneoxy-, or polyphenylene oxide-substituted nitroaniline. The nitro- aniline product is reduced to yield the corresponding substituted benzene diamine. The coupling of phenols and alcohols in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide is another method of forming arylalkyl ethers under mild conditions. Benzene groups can be substituted with poly(phenoxy- phenylketone) organic solubilizing groups by treating 2- hydroxyterephthalic acid with 4-fluoro-4•-hydroxy-benzo- phenone. Terephthalic acid can be appended with a poly(2,6- dimethylphenylene oxide) side chain by treating 2-nitro- terephthaliσ acid diethyl ester with the mono-hydroxy- terminated polyphenylene oxide in dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of base, followed by hydrolysis of the ester groups, to yield 2-poly(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide)tereph- thalic acid. Polyphenylene oxide is typically prepared by polymerization of 2,6-dimethylphenol in the presence of copper and oxygen in a pyridine solvent system. The growing polymer chain always has a phenolic group on one end only, thus only one end will react with the 2-nitroterephthalic acid diethyl ester. Other organic groups can be added to the benzene ring by using the corresponding phenol starting material. For example, nonylphenol can be used to prepare nonylphenoxyterephthalic acid monomer. Oligoisoprenyl groups can be added to aryl groups by forming an acetyl derivative of a dibromo aryl starting material, such as the 2-acetyl derivative of paradibromo- benzene. The acetyl derivative is then treated with oligo¬ isoprenyllithium, which is prepared from isoprene and t- butyllithium. X Poly-epsilon-caprolactam solubilizing groups can be added to aryl groups by preparing a dinitro aryl deriva¬ tive, converting that to a butyl-substituted dinitro aryl group, oxidizing the butyl group to a carboxylic acid 5: group, and forming the corresponding acid chloride thereof. The acid chloride is treated with poly-epsilon-caprolactam (straight chain, prepared from epsilon-caprolactam) to yield the desired poly-epsilon-caprolactam-substituted dinitro aryl compound. The resulting monomer is reduced 0: to- yield the corresponding diamino monomer, which can be used ; to form rigid-rod polyimide polymers. The other solubilizing organic groups, such as the polyphenylene sulfide groups, the polyvinyl groups, the polyalkylmethacrylate groups, the polyacrylonitrile groups, 5 the polyvinyl alcohol groups, and the polyvinyl acetate groups, can be added to the monomer units described herein by conventional chemical means, such as anionic polymeriza¬ tion methods. (See "Anionic Polymerization," James E. McGrath, Ed., ACS Symposium Series 166, American Chemical 0: Society, 1981.) Example I Tetra ethyldisilethylene Adduct of 2.5-Dibromoaniline To. a solution of 6.27 (0.025 mole) 2,5-dibromoaniline 5Ξ im4O ml dry tetrahydrofuran at -78*C are added 30.3 ml of 21.5; (0.053 mole) of a cooled hexane solution of n-butyl lithium under argon. A solution of 5.55 g (0.025 mole) of l,2-bis(chlorodimethylsilyl)ethane in 40 ml tetrahydro¬ furan is slowly added to the mixture. The final mixture 0 is; allowed to warm to room temperature and then poured into water. The solution is diluted with ether, and the organic layer is separated. After washing the aqueous layer with additional portions of ether, the combined ethereal extracts are dried and condensed. The product is 5 " purified by crystallization. Polv-(2,5-aniline) : To a solution containing 0.61 g (0.025 mole) activated magnesium metal in 30 ml tetrahydrofuran are added 9.83 g (0.025 mole) of the tetramethyldisilethylene adduct of 2,5-dibromoaniline under argon. After stirring the mixture at room temperature for one hour, 0.050 g (0.00018 mole) NiCl 2 bpy (2,2'-bipyridine) is added to the soluton. The final mixture is heated and allowed to reflux for 24 hours before being poured into 250 ml ethanol. The precipitate that forms is collected by centrifugation using water as a wash. The solid material is then allowed to reflux in a dilute hydrochloric acid/ethanol solution. The final polymer precipitate is collected by filtration and dried in a vacσum to yield poly-(2,5-aniline) . Example II 2.5-Dichlorophenyl Dimethyloctylsilyl Ether To a solution of 3.75 g (0.023 mole) 2,5-dichloro- phenol in 30 ml N,N-dimethylformamide are added 5.58 g (0.082 mole) imidizole and 16.6 ml (0.070 mole) chlorodi- methyloσtyl silane under argon. After stirring at room temperature for two hours, the mixture is diluted with an aqueous saturated sodium chloride solution and extracted with ether. The combined organic extracts are dried and condensed. The product is purified by column chromatography. Poly-(2.5-phenol) : To a solution containing 0.61 g (0.025 mole) activated magnesium metal in 30 ml dry tetrahydrofuran are added 8.33 g (0.025 mole) 2,5-dichlorophenyl(dimethyl- octyl)silyl ether under argon. After stirring at room temperature for one hour, 0.050 g (0.00018 mole) NiCl bpy is added to the solution. The final mixture is heated and allowed to reflux for 24 hours before being poured into 250 ml ethanol. The precipitate that forms is collected by centrifugation using water as a wash. The solids are then stirred with a dilute hydrofluoric acid solution in aqueous acetonitrile for 48 hours. The final precipitate is collected by filtration and dried in a vacuum to yield poly-(2,5-phenol) . Example III 1.4-Dibromo-2-(oliσo-alpha-methylstyrene)-benzene A solution of 3.3 g dibromobenzylbromide (0.01 mole) dissolved in 500 ml methylene chloride/methylcyclohexane is cooled to minus 50*C. Ten (10) ml of a 1M solution of boron trichloride in hexanes is added. 23.6 g (0.2 mole) of the monomer alpha-methylstyrene are then added slowly and continuously. After six hours, the reaction is quenched with methanol, and the oligomer (oligo-alpha-methylstyrene) precipitated by pouring the solution into methanol. Each dibromobenzene monomer will have a side chain of an average length of about 20 styrene units (MW 2000) . Different- length side chains may be prepared by adding different ratios of styrene to dibromobenzylbromide. Example IV 1.4-Dibromo-2-(oliσoisobutyl vinyl ether)-benzene (quasi- living cationic polymerization) The dibromobenzyl cation is prepared by adding 3.4 g silver hexafluoroantimonate (AgSbFg) to a cold (-70*C) solution of 3.3 g (0.01 mole) 2,5-dibromobenzylbromide, in dichloromethane. Isobutyl vinyl ether (50 g [65 ml, 0.5 mole]) is introduced slowly and continuously. The reaction is quenched and the oligomer (oligoisobutyl vinyl ether) recovered by the addition of alcohol. Other non-limiting examples of side chains which can be produced by quasi- living cationic polymerization include: oligomethyl vinyl ether, oligoisobutene, oligo-p-t-butylstyrene, oligoindene, and oligostryene. 2,5-Dibromobenzylbromide: 33 g (0.1 mole) 2,5-dibromo toluene is placed in a 100 ml three-necked flask, fitted with a reflux condenser, a sealed mechanical stirrer, and a separatory funnel with the stem reaching nearly to the bottom of the flask. The flask is illuminated with two 300-watt tungsten lamps during the reaction. The flask is heated in an oil bath to 150 β C, and 18.4 g (5.9 ml, 0.115 mole) bromine is added over two hours. The mixture is stirred for an additional 10 minutes, and the contents, while still liquid, are poured into a 500 ml round-bottom flask containing 300 ml of hot light petroleum ether and 2 g decolorizing carbon. A reflux condenser is attached, and the mixture is heated to reflux until the material dissolves, then rapidly filtered through a pre-heated Buchner funnel. The filtrate is cooled and washed with cold light petroleum. Example V Co-polymerization of 1.4-dibromo-2-foliαo-alpha-methyl- styrene)-benzene and 1.4-dibromobenzene (copolymer product) To a solution containing 0.029 g (0.020 mole) magnesium powder (which is activated by washing in dilute HCl and then water, dried, and then stirred in the presence of iodine overnight) in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran is added a solution of 2.0 g (0.001 mole) l,4-dibromo-2-(oligo-alpha- ethylstyrene)-benzene and 4.7 g (0.02 mole) 1,4-dibromo- benzene in 30 ml tetrahydrofuran under argon. After stirring the mixture at room temperature for one hour, 0.050 g (0.00018 mole) NiCl2 bipyridine is added to the solution. The final mixture is heated and allowed to reflux for 24 hours. Any solid p-polyphenylene is removed by filtration. The filtrate is poured into 200 ml of ethanol and the copolymer product precipitated. The copolymer product is collected, washed with water, and dried. Example VI The copolymerization of l,4-dibromo-2-(oligoisobutyl vinyl ether) benzene and 1,4-dibromobenzene is accomplished in a manner similar to Example V above. Example VII 2-roliσo-(Phenoxyphenylketone) 1-terephthalic acid. Monomer 10 Side chain synthesis: A solution of 9.5 g (0.1 mole) phenol, 173 g (0.8 mole) 4-fluoro-4'-hydroxybenzophenone, and 55 g (0.4 mole, 0.8 equiv.) potassium carbonate in 600 ml dimethyl sulfoxide is heated to 150"C for 6 hours. The mixture is then slowly poured into 1 liter of water; the precipitated polymer (PEK-OH) is separated from the liquid phase, rinsed with methanol, and dried under vacuum to produce oligo-(phenoxyphenyl ketone) . Monomer synthesis: 200 ml dimethyl sulfoxide is used to dissolve 76 g of PEK-OH, 10.5 g (0.05 mole) nitrotereph- thalic acid diethyl ester, and 14 g (0.1 mole) potassium carbonate. The solution is heated to 130 β C for 6 hours. After cooling, a solution of 4 g NaOH in 25 ml water is added. The mixture is heated to 100 β C for 2 hours. The solvent is then removed under vacuum, and the residue is washed with water followed by ethanol, and dried to yield 2-[oligo-(phenoxyphenyl ketone) ]-terephthalic acid. Monomer 1-0. Example VIII 2-Toliσo-f2.6-dimethylphenoxy) 1-terephthalic acid, Monomer 11 Side chain synthesis: A solution of 200 ml of nitrobenzene, 70 ml pyridine and 1 g copper (I) chloride is vigorously stirred while oxygen is bubbled through it at a rate of 100 ml/minute. Then 15 g (0.12 mole) 2,6-dimethylphenol is added, and the reaction is continued for 5 minutes. then it is diluted with 100 ml chloroform and added to 1 liter of methanol containing 3 ml of concentrated hydro¬ chloric acid. The resulting oligo-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy) polymer is thoroughly rinsed and dried. Monomer synthesis: A solution of 192 g (ca. 0.1 mole) polydimethylphenylene oxide in 700 ml dimethyl sulfoxide is treated with 21 g (0.1 mole) nitro-terephthalic acid diethyl ester and 14 g (0.1 mole) potassium carbonate at 130 β C for 6 hours. After cooling, a solution of 4 g NaOH in 25 ml water is added. The mixture is heated to 100*C for 2 hours. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure. The residue is thoroughly washed with water, rinsed with ethanol, and dried under vacuum to yield 2-[oligo-(2,6- dimethylphenoxy) 3-terephthalic acid, Monomer 11. Example IX Co-Polybenzobisthiazole from Monomer 10. Terephthalic acid and 2,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiol A mixture of 33 g (20 mmoles) Monomer 10. of Example VII, 33 g (200 mmoles) terephthalic acid, and 54 g (220 mmoles) 2,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiol dihydrochloride in 77% 700 ml polyphosphoric acid is heated to 70"-90 , C under reduced nitrogen pressure (60 mm Hg) (to facilitate removal of hydrogen chloride) . After complete dehydrochlorination, phosphorus pentoxide is added under reduced pressure to provide 84%-86% polyphosphoric acid. The temperature is then raised to 170*C for 20 hours, and finally to 190*C for four hours. The paraphenylene[unsubstituted and 2- oligo(phenoxyphenylketone)substituted]-2-benzobisthiazole copolymer is isolated by precipitation into water and washed with refluxing water until all the phosphoric acid is removed. The isolated copolymer is then rinsed with alcohol and dried in vacuo. The copolymer has side chains on every tenth main chain monomer unit, on the average. The side chain constitutes 38% of the polymer, by weight, while the backbone accounts for the balance, 62%, of the polymer weight. Example X Copolvmerization from Monomer 10. Terephthalic Acid and 2,5-Diamino-1.4-Dihvdroxybenzene Paraphenylene[unsubstituted and oligo-(phenoxyphenyl ketone)substituted]-2-benzobisoxazoles are prepared in accordance with the method of Example IX using 2,5-diamino- X,4-dihydroxybenzene in place of the benzenedithiol of Example IX. Example XI Co-Polybenzobisthiazole from Monomer 11. Terephthalic Acid and 2.5-diamino-X.4-benzenedithiol A mixture of 4 g (ca. 20 mmoles) Monomer 11. of Example VIII, 10 g (60 mmoles) terephthalic acid, and 19.6 g (80 mmoles) 2,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiol dihydrochloride in 450 ml 77% polyphosphoric acid is heated to 70 β -90*C under reduced nitrogen pressure (60 mm dehydrochlorination, phosphorus pentoxide is added under reduced pressure to provide 84%-86% polyphosphoric acid. The temperature is then raised to 170*C for 20 hours, and finally to 190*C fiar four hours. The paraphenylene[unsubstituted and 2- αligo-(2,6-dimethylphenoxy)substituted]-2-benzobisoxazole copolymer is isolated by precipitation into water and washed with refluxing water until all the phosphoric acid is removed. The isolated copolymer is then rinsed with alcohol and dried in vacuo. The copolymer so obtained has side chains on every fourth main chain unit, on the average. The side chain constitutes 67% of the polymer, by weight; the backbone accounts for the remaining 33% of the weight αf the polymer. Example XII Copolymerization from Monomer 11. Terephthalic Acid and 2,5-Diamino-1.4-Dihvdroxybenzene Paraphenylene[unsubstitutedand 2-oligo-(2,6-dimethyl- phenoxy)substituted]-2-benzobisoxazole are prepared in accordance with the method of Example XI using 2,5-diamino- 1,4-dihydroxybenzene in place of the benzene dithiol of Example XI. Example XIII Poly-p-phenylene-co-2-olio;oisoprenyl-l,4-phenylene 2'-acetyl-4,4"-dibro oterphenyl: To 3.8 g (0.01 mole) 4,4"-dibromoterphenyl in 200 ml nitrobenzene is added 0.86 g (0.011 mole) acetyl chloride and 1.46 g (0.011 mole) aluminum trichloride. The mixture is heated to 80 # C under inert atmosphere for three hours. The mixture is cooled to room temperature and washed with 1 m HCl. The organic layer of 2'-acetyl-4,4"-dibromoterphenyl is separated and the solids filtered and washed with several portions of ethanol, and dried. Semitelechelic polvisoprene; 4.4"-dibromo-2'-oligoiso¬ prenylterphenyl: A solution of living oligoisoprenyl- lithium is prepared following S. Dumas, J. Sledz and F. Schue, "Anionic Polymerization," J. E. McGrath, Ed., ACS Symposium Series 166, Chapter 29, pp. 463-475, 1981. To a solution of isoprene (0.7 mmole) in 1 liter cyclohexane held at 18*C is added t-butyl lithium (0.4 mmole). After four hours, the reaction is terminated by adding 2'-aσetyl- 4,4"-dibromoterphenyl (0.05 mmole). The solvent is removed and the solid 4,4"-dibromo-2'-oligoisoprenylterphenyl collected. Poly-p-phenylene-co-2-oli oisoprenyl-l.4-phenylene: A solution containing 0.029 g (0.020 mole) magnesium powder (which is activated by washing in dilute HCl and then water, dried, and then stirred in the presence of iodine overnight) in 10 ml tetrahydrofuran is added to a solution of1.0g (0.001mole) 4,4"-dibromo-2'-oligoisoprenylterphenyl and 4.7 g (0.02 mole) 1,4-dibromobenzene in 50 ml tetra¬ hydrofuran under argon. After stirring the mixture at room temperature for one hour, 0.050 g (0.0018 mole) NiCl 2 bipyridine is added to the solution. The final mixture is heated and allowed to reflux for 24 hours. Any solid p- polyphenylene is removed by filtration. The filtrate is poured into 200 ml ethanol and the poly-p-phenylene-co-2- oligoisoprenyl-l,4-phenylene polymer precipitated. The polymer is collected, washed with water, and dried. Example XIV 4.4"-Dinitro-p-terphenyl. 1: p-terphenyl (200g, 0.87 mole) is stirred with 2 liters of acetic anhydride at O'C, and fuming nitric acid (d 1.5, 90 ml) is added dropwise during 30 minutes. Stirring is continued at O'C for a further 30 minutes. The temperature is allowed to rise to 20'C, and then maintained at 5'-50'C for one hour. The 4,4"-dinitro-p-terphenyl JL is separated as yellow needles, m.p. 272 β -273°C in 65% yield. 4,4"-Dinitro-2'-butyl-p-terphenyl. 2: A three-liter neck flask is adapted with a condenser with desiccant tube atop, addition funnel with pressure equalizer tube, and mechanical stirrer. A mixture of 1 (X60 g, 0.5 mole) aluminum chloride (67 g, 0.5 mole), and nitrobenzene (1.5 liters) is placed in the flask and is then warmed to 75'C, after which 1-chlorobutane (46 g, 0.5 mole) is added to the mixture from the addition funnel. After the addition has been completed, the mixture is stirred at 75'C for a further one hour, and then cooled to room temperature. The contents of the flask are then poured over an ice- water-hydrochloric mixture (ca. 1 liter, 1-250 ml) and vigorously stirred until the ice melts completely. The aqueous phase is discarded and the organic phase is washed sequentially with water (1.5 liters) and a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate (1.5 liters). The organic phase is then dried and the nitrobenzene is partially removed by reduced pressure distillation and the 4,4"-dinitro-2'- butyl-p-terphenyl product is finally recovered by precipi¬ tation with hexane. 4.4"-Dinitro-p-terphenyl-2'-carboxylic acid, 3: A mixture of 2 (113 g, 0.3 mole), potassium permanganate (95 g, 0.6 mole), 18-crown-6 (80 g, 0.3 mole), and benzene (1.2 liters) is refluxed for 30 minutes. The mixture is then treated with concentrated hydrochloric acid (500 ml) to dissolve inorganic oxides. The organic phase is washed with water until rendered neutral, dried with magnesium sulfate, and then the solvent is removed under reduced pressure to yield 4,4"-dinitro-p-terphenyl-2'-carboxyliσ acid. 4.4"-Dinitro-p-terphenyl-2'-acyl chloride. 4: A mixture of 3. (73 g, 0.2 mole) and thionyl chloride (400 ml) is gently heated to the boiling point. The mixture is main¬ tained at the reflux temperature for an additional one hour, after which the bulk of the thionyl chloride is decanted. The residual thionyl chloride is then removed under reduced pressure to yield 4,4"-dinitro-p-terphenyl- 2'-acyl chloride. Polv-epsilon-caprolactam 5: Epsilon-caprolaσtam (50 g) and 2.0 g of a 50% weight-percent aqueous solution of piperidine are placed in a large test tube fitted with gas inlet and outlet tubes. The tube is swept with nitrogen and then immersed in a vapor bath at 280'C. After one hour, the test tube is removed from the bath and allowed to cool to room temperature, under nitrogen. The test tube is broken and the polymer is broken down to small particles (about 1 mm or less) . The polymer is freed from impurities by extracting them with water in a Soxhlet extractor. The polymer is then dried at 100'C under reduced pressure to yield poly-epsilon-caprolactam. X 4.4"-Dinitro-p-terphenyl-2'-(polv-epsilon-caprolactam) , 6: A mixture of 4. (38 g, 0.1 mole) and 5 (1.1 kg, 0.1 mole) in pyridine (300 ml) and m-cresol (3 liters) is vigorously stirred at 5'C for 30 minutes, after which the mixture is 5 slowly allowed to warm to room temperature, and stirred an additional 30 minutes. The solvent is then removed under reduced pressure and the monomer is thoroughly rinsed with water, followed by drying at 100'C under reduced pressure to yield 4,4"-dinitro-p-terphenyl-2'-(poly-epsilon-capro- 0 lactam) . 4.4"-Diamino-p-terphenyl-2'-fpolv-epsilon-caprolactam) . 7: In a three-necked flask, fitted with a reflux condenser and a mechanical stirrer, are placed 6. (54 g, ca.10 moles) , iron (3.4 g, 60 mmoles), and ethyl alchol 50% (by weight). 5 The mixture is heated to boiling on a water bath, and a solution of concentrated hydrochloric acid (0.4 ml, 5 moles) in about 5 ml of 50% (by weight) ethyl alcohol is added slowly. The mixture is refluxed for two hours after addition of the acid is complete. At the end of this 0 time, the hot mixture is made just alkaline to litmus by the addition of 15% alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution. The iron is removed by filtration from the warm solution. The 4,4"-diamino-p-terphenyl-2'-(poly-epsilon-caprolactam) product is then isolated by crystallization at low tempera- 5 ture from the ethanol solution. POLYIMIDE. 8: In a nitrogen-purged flask adapted with a mechanical stirrer is placed 1_ (54 g, ca. 10 moles) in 500 ml dry dimethylacetamide. Pyromellitic dianhydride (440 mg, 10 moles) is then added to the flask through a funnel. 0 The flask is closed and the mixture is stirred for one hour. The polyamic acid solution is formed into thin layers by drawing onto dry glass plates and dried for 20 minutes in a forced-draft oven (with nitrogen bleed) at 8O'C. These polyamic acid films are clamped to frames and 5 carefully heated in a forced-draft oven to 300*C for 60 minutes, and then heated at 300'C for an additional hour to yield polyimide films of 4,4"-diamino-p-terphenyl-2'- (poly-epsilon-caprolactam) and pyromellitic dianhydride. Example XV Poly-p-(N.N-dimethylamidophenylene) Dry nickel chloride (60 mg, 0.46 mmol), triphenyl- phosphine (0.917 g, 3.5 mmol), 2,2'-bipyridine (64.7 mg, 0.41 mmol), sodium iodide (0.39 g, 1.44 mmol), and zinc powder (0.92 g, 14.1 mmol) were placed into a 100 ml round- bottom flask. The flask and its contents were heated to 50*C for 90 minutes under dynamic vaccum to remove trace water. Evacuation was discontinued, and argon was admitted to the flask. Dry dimethyl formamide (DMF) (8 ml) was added, and the temperature was raised to 80'C. Within 5 minutes, the mixture turned a deep-red color. After stirring for 20 minutes under argon, a solution of 2,5-dichloro- benzamide (2.0Ϊ6 g, 9.1 mmol) in DMF (5 ml) was added. After 2 hours, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, then poured into 200 ml of 15% aqueous HCl and extracted with benzene. The product, as a suspension in benzene, was washed with 5% HCl. Dichloromethane was added to the thick, white benzene suspension to give a slightly cloudy solution, which was separated from the remaining water and taken to dryness on a rotary evaporator to give 0.5 g of poly-p-(N,N-dimethylamidophenylene) , a white powder.

Claims: X WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: X. A polymer comprising: (a) a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain of 5 at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel; and (b) solubilizing organicgroups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at O least 1% of the monomer units. 2. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a homopolymer. 5 3. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 4. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein at least 1% of the monomer units have solubilizing organic 0 groups. 5. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein not more than 1% of the monomer units has solubilizing organic groups. 5 6. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one type of the monomers of the copolymer has no pendant organic groups. 0 7. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one type of the monomers of the copolymer has pendant organic groups with an average molecular weight of less than 300. 8. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the 5 polymer has two different monomer units. 9. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the polymer has three different monomer units. 10. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the polymer has four different monomer units. 11. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the polymer is a terpolymer. 12. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the polymer is a tetrapolymer. 13. The polymer according to claim 8 wherein one type of the monomer units of the polymer has no pendant organic groups. 14. The polymer according to claim 8 wherein one type of the monomer units of the polymer has pendant organic groups with an average molecular weight of less than about 300. 15. The polymer according to claim 9 wherein one type of the monomer units of the polymer has no pendant organic groups. 16. The polymer according to claim 9 wherein one type of the monomer units of the polymer has pendant organic groups with an average molecular weight of less than about 300. 17. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein at least one out of every 100 monomer units has pendant solubilizing organic groups. 18. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the molecular weight fraction of the solubilizing organic groups to the whole polymer is from about 30% to about 95%. 19. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the molecular weight fraction of the solubilizing organic groups to the whole polymer is from about 30% to about 60%. 20. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the molecular weight fraction of the solubilizing organic groups to the whole polymer is from about 45% to about 55%. 21. The polymer according to claim 1 wherein the monomer units comprise at least one of the following: paraphenylene, parabiphenylene, paraterphenylene, 2,6- quinoline, 2,6-quinazoline, paraphenylene-2,2'-benzobis- thiazole, paraphenylene-2,2'-benzobisoxazole, paraphenylene- 2,2'-benzobisimidazole, paraphenylene-N,N'-pyromellitimide, 2,6-naphthylene, 2,6-anthracenyl, 9,10-anthracenyl, 1,4- naphthylene, 1,5-naphthylene, 1,4-anthraσenyl, 1,10-anthra- cenyl, 1,5-anthracenyl, and 2,5-pyridine. 22. The polymer according to claim 21 wherein the -solubilizing organic groups are alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkyl amide, aryl amide, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylalcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyimide, and polyamide. 23. The polymer according to claim 22 wherein the polymer is a homopolymer. 24. The polymer according to claim 22 wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 25. The polymer according to claim 24 wherein the polymer has two different monomer units. 26. The polymer according to claim 25 wherein one type of the monomer units of the polymer has no pendant organic groups. 27. The polymer according to claim 24 wherein at least 1% of the monomers have solubilizing organic groups. 28. The polymer according to claim 24 wherein not more than 1% of the monomers have solubilizing organic groups. 29. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the, monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R 1# R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R j , R 2 , R3, and R 4 X is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R^, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300. 30. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the 5 monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R^, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or 5 aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl 0 ketone), provided that at least one of R lA R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R l f R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300. 31. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the 5 monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R lf R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or 5 aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide. polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of l R , R 3 , and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R^, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300. 32. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R^, R 2 , R3, and R4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of Rj, R , R 3 , and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of i, , R3, and 4 is at least 300. 33. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: X wherein R ] _, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth- 5 aσrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinylether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R lf R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular 0 " weight of at least one of R 1# R 2 , R 3 , and R4 is at least 300; and X is S, 0, or NH. 34. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the 5 monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl -55 amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyamide, polyimide, andpoly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , 0 provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R 5 and Rg is at least 300. 5 35. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R5 and Rg is at least 300. 36. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: VIIIA wherein R 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly- ester, polyamide, polyimide, andpoly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R 5 and R 6 is at least 300. 37. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: wherein 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyamide, polyimide, andpoly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R 5 and Rg is at least 300. 38. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: wherein R5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R 5 and R 6 is at least 300. 39. The polymer according to claim 2 wherein the monomer unit has the following formula: wherein and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly¬ ester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R5 and Rg is at least 300. 40. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, io, and R 1]p can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 41. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , R g , R iQ , and Ri is no greater than 300. 42. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, io, and n can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 43. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth- acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and pol (phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 44. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth- acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300; and X is S, 0, or NH. 45. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R i2 and Rι 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of Rι 2 and R 13 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 46. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R12 and R13 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy- phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R i2 and R 13 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 47. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: VIIIB wherein Rι 2 and Rι 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of 12 and R13 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 48. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R12 and R1 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy- phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R12 and R13 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 49. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein 2 and R 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of Rι 2 and R1 3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 50. The polymer according to claim 3 wherein one of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 2 and R13 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy- phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R i and Rι 3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 51. A polymer comprising a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, the polymer having at least one type of monomer, at least 1% of the monomers having pendant solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer units, at least one type of the monomer units having one of the following formulae: 10 VIA 15 25 VIIIA 35 wherein R l r R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R , R 2 , R 3 , and R is at least 300, and wherein R5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly- polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and R 6 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R5 and Rg is at least 300; and X is NO, 0, or S. 52. The polymer according to claim 51 wherein the polymer has at least two types of monomer units. 53. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R , R 2 , R3, and R4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of Ri, R2, R3, and R4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of Ri, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300; and X is S, O, or NH. 54. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 8 , Rg, io, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 55. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rg, Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , R g , Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 56. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rg, Rg, RI Q , and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth- acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of Rg, Rg, Rio, and Rn is no greater than 300. 57. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rg, Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that the molecular weight of each of R 8 , Rg, io, and Rn is no greater than 300. 58. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rg, Rg, Rio, and Rn can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmeth¬ acrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that the molecular weight of each of Rg, Rg, R o, and Rn is no greater than 300; and X is S, 0, or NH. 59. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rι 2 and Rι 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of Rι 2 and R1 3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 60. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R 2 and R 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl X amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy- 5 phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of Rι 2 and R i3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 61. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following O- formula: VIIIB wherein Rι 2 and R 13 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl 0 amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that 5 each of Rι 2 and R 13 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 62. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: 5 wherein Rι 2 and R i3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R i2 and R i3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 63. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein Rι 2 and Rι 3 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R i and 3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 64. The polymer according to claim 52 wherein at least one type of the monomer units has the following formula: wherein R12 and R13 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, poly¬ phenylenesulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly(phenoxy¬ phenyl ketone) , polyamide, and polyimide, provided that each of R12 and R i3 has a molecular weight of less than 300. 65. A polymer comprising a backbone of at least 25 monomer units comprising: (a) a plurality of paraphenylene monomer units joined together by carbon-carbon covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, the polymer and its monomer starting materials being soluble in a common solvent system; and (b) a plurality of solubilizing organic groups pendant from the monomers, the number and size of the solubilizing organic groups being sufficient to render the polymer soluble in the polymerization solvent system. 66. The polymer according to claim 65 wherein the solubilizing organic groups are alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, alkyl amide, aryl amide, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, poly(phenoxy- phenyl ketone) , polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate. polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyimide, polyamide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) . 67. The polymer according to claim 65 wherein the polymer backbone has a molecular weight of at least about 7,600. 68. A polymer comprising: (a) a rigid-rod backbone selected from the group consisting of polyparaphenylene, polyparabiphenyl- ene, polyparaterphenylene, poly(2,6-naphthylene) , poly- (2,6-anthracenyl) , poly(9,10-anthracenyl) , poly(2, 6-quino¬ line) , poly(2,6-quinazolene) , poly(paraphenylene-2,2'-benzo- bisthiazole) , poly(paraphenylene-N,N'-benzobisimidazole) , poly(paraphenylene-l-pyromellitimide) , poly(l,4-naphthylene) , poly(l,5-naphthylene) , poly(l,4-anthracenyl) , poly(l,10- anthracenyl) , poly(1,5-anthracenyl) , andpoly(2,5-pyridinyl) , wherein the monomer units are joined together by covalent bonds, about 95% of the bonds being substantially parallel to each other; and (b) organic groups pending from at least 1% of backbone monomers wherein the organic groups have an average molecular weight of at least about 300. 69. The polymer of claim 68 wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is at least 7,600. 70. A polymer comprising a backbone having a molecular weight greater than 7,600, the backbone comprising a plurality of paraphenylene monomer units joined together by carbon-carbon covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel. 71. The polymer according to claim 65 wherein the molecular weight of the polymer is at least about 10,850. 72. A polymer comprising: (a) a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel; and (b) solubilizing polar organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 and a dielectric constant greater than about 5 attached to at least 1% of the monomers. - 73. A process for the preparation of a polymer having a rigid-rod backbone comprising a plurality of monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least 1% of the monomer units, the monomer starting materials being a monomer of Formula IC, the process comprising the steps of subjecting the monomerstartingmaterial to adehalogenationpolymerization. 74. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer by treating the monomer starting material of Formula IIC to a dehalogenation polymerization in a solvent system wherein the monomer starting material and the homopolymer are mutually soluble. 75. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer by treating the monomer starting material of Formula IIIC to a dehalogenation polymerization in a solvent system wherein the monomer starting material and the homopolymer are mutually soluble. 76. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer by treating the monomer starting material of Formula VIC to a dehalogenation polymerization in a solvent system wherein the monomer starting material and the homopolymer are mutually soluble. 77. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer by treating the monomer starting material of Formula VIIC to a dehalogenation polymerization in a solvent system wherein the monomer starting material and the homopolymer are mutually soluble. 78. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to the monomer by X treating the monomer starting material of Formula VIIIC to a dehalogenation polymerization in a solvent system wherein the monomer starting material and the homopolymer are mutually soluble. 5 79. A process for the preparation of a copolymer having a rigid-rod backbone comprising a plurality of monomers joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel O and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least 1% of the monomers, the process comprising polymerizing a mixture of at least 2 monomer starting materials in a solvent system wherein the monomers and the copolymer are mutually 5 soluble. 80. The process according to claim 79 wherein the copolymer has at least one monomer selected from the monomers of Formulae IC, IIC, IIIC, IVC, VC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, IXC, 0 XC, XIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC and at least one of the monomers of Formulae ID, IID, HID, IVD, VD, VID, VIID, VIIID, IXD, XD, XID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, and XVID. 81. The process according to claim 79 wherein at 5 least one of the monomers of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, IVC, VC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC and at least one of the monomers of Formula ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, and XVID are subject to a dehalogenation polymerization. 0 82. A process for the preparation of a polyimide copolymer comprising a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are 5 substantially parallel and solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least 1% of the monomers, the process comprising treating a monomer of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC with pyromellitic anhydride to obtain the corresponding polyamic acid and treating the resulting polyamic acid with dehy¬ drating agents to cyσlize the polyamic acid to the corresponding polyimide. 83. A process for the preparation of a polymer comprising a rigid-rod backbone having a chain length of at least 25 monomer units, the monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, the monomer units having solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least about 1% of the monomer units, the backbone comprising at least one monomer-unit type, the process comprising polymerizing the monomer starting material of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, or XVIC wherein R x , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacryloni- trile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, poly¬ amide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of , R 2 , R 3 , and R is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of R , R , R3, and R4 is at least 300, X is NH, O, or S, R 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyp¬ henylenesulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, poly- polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of R 5 and Rg is at least 300, and W is Cl, Br, or I. 84. A process for the preparation of a polymer comprising a rigid-rod backbone having a chain length of at least 25 monomer units, the monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, the monomer units having solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least about 1% of themonomers, the backbone comprising at least two monomer types, at least one monomer unit selected from the monomers of Formula IB, IIB, IIIB, VIB, VIIB, VIIIB, XIIB, XIIIB, XIVB, XVB, or XVIB, the process comprising polymerizing a mixture of at least two monomer starting materials, one monomer starting material selected from the monomers of Formula ID, IID, HID, VID, VIID, VIIID, XIID, XIIID, XIVD, XVD, or XVID, wherein Rg, Rg, Rio, R χχ, R I 2 ' an d R 13 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, poly¬ alkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of Rg, Rg, Rio, R χχ, R I 2 ' anα - R X3 ^- s other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of Rg, Rg, Rio, R χχ, R l 2 ' and R 13 ^ s at least 300, X is NH, O, or S, and W is Cl, Br, or I. 85. A process for the preparation of a polymer having a rigid-rod backbone comprising a chain of at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least 1% of the monomer units, the process comprising polymerizing pyro¬ mellitic anhydride with an aromatic monomer of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC, wherein W is amino and R , 2 , R 3 , and R can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, araXkyX, aXkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, poly¬ phenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoro¬ alkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R , 2 , R 3 , and R4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of , R 2 , R 3 , and R4 is at least 300, X is NH, O, or S, R 5 and Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, poly¬ phenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoro¬ alkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and R 6 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of R 5 and R 6 is at least 300. 86. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rod backbone comprising at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 300 attached to at least about 1% of the monomer units, at least one of the monomer units is selected from monomer units of Formula IA, HA, IIIA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, XIIA, XIHA, XIVA, XVA, or XVIA, the process comprising treating l,5-diamino-l,4-benzenedithiazole with a monomer starting material of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, ' XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC, wherein R x , R 2 , R3, and R 4 can be- the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly- ^ alkyXvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R if R 2 , R3, and R4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of " Ri, R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 is at least 300, W is COOH, and wherein R 5 a nd Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinylchloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at: least one of R5 and Rg is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of R 5 and Rg is at 5 Xeeϊst 300. 87. A process for preparing a polymer having a rigid- rocE backbone comprising at least 25 monomer units joined together by covalent bonds wherein at least about 95% of the bonds are substantially parallel, solubilizing organic groups having an average molecular weight of at least about 3OX) attached to at least about 1% of the monomer units, at least one of the monomer units is selected from monomer units of Formula IA, IIA, IIIA, VIA, VIIA, VIIIA, XIIA, " XIHA, XIVA, XVA, or XVIA, the process comprising treating 2,5-diamino-l,4-dihydroxybenzene with a monomer starting material of Formula IC, IIC, IIIC, VIC, VIIC, VIIIC, XIIC, XIIIC, XIVC, XVC, and XVIC, wherein R , R 2 , R3, and R 4 can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, poly¬ alkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone), provided that at least one of R i R , R3, and R4 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of at least one of Rl, R 2 , R3, and R 4 is at least 300, W is COOH, and wherein R5 a nd Rg can be the same or different and are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyl or aryl amide, alkoxy, polyalkeneoxy, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyvinyl chloride, polyalkylmethacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyalkylvinyl ether, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, polyester, polyamide, polyimide, and poly(phenoxyphenyl ketone) , provided that at least one of R 5 and R 6 is other than hydrogen, and provided that the molecular weight of R5 and R 6 is at least 300.

Inventors: GAGNE ROBERT RAYMOND, MARROCCO MATTHEW LOUIS III, TRIMMER MARK STEVEN, GAGNE, ROBERT, R., MARROCCO, MATTHEW, L., III
Applicants: MAXDEM INC, MAXDEM INCORPORATED
Application year: 1989
Main classification: C08F8
IPC codes: C08F8, C08F246, C08G61, C08G69, C08G73, C08G75, C08G81, C08G83, C08L23, C08L25, C08L27, C08L65, C08L67, C08L69, C08L71, C08L101