Cyclodehydration reaction of polyhydrazides. III. Influence of the sample history

The influence of preparation history upon the thermal cyclodehydration reaction of polyhydrazide samples has been investigated. Solid polyhydrazide samples were prepared from DMSO solutions using the phase-inversion technique. Significant differences in conversion rates were observed between samples prepared by nonsolvent immersion precipitation and by evaporation of solvent. It appeared that contact with the nonsolvent water during the sample preparation process has considerable influence on the conversion rate. Not only does the immersion in and washing with water lead to a better removal of the solvent also the pH of the water determines the rate of conversion. A distinct change in the conversion rate is found for washing water at a pH of 7. Basic washing solutions showing lower conversion rates than acid ones. A mechanism explaining these phenomena is proposed