Thermoplastically processible aromatic polyamides with chemically incorporated ether and sulfonyl groups; and method of manufacturing the same

A method for producing high molecular weight aromatic polyamide having recurring units of the general formula

• --(CO--Ar--CO--NH--Ar'--X--Ar"--Y--Ar"--X--Ar'--NH).sub.m --
• wherein Ar, Ar', and Ar", independently, represent a meta- or para-phenylene group, unsubstituted or substituted with alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms;
• and wherein X is O and Y is SO.sub.2 or X is SO.sub.2 and Y is O;
• and 3<m<300;
• comprising the step of:
• reacting an acid selected from the group consisting of an unsubstituted or alkyl-substituted isophthalic acid or terephthalic acid, or a mixture of these with a diamine of the formula
• H.sub.2 N--Ar'--X--Ar"--Y--Ar"--X--Ar'--NH.sub.2 ;
• wherein said reacting step is carried out at temperatures between 160.degree.-300.degree. C. in the presence of a catalytic amount of a compound selected from the group consisting of triphenyl phosphite and a compound having the formula H.sub.3 PO.sub.n, wherein n is 2, 3 or 4;
• in the presence of a polar, aprotic, organic solvent.