Abstract: Disclosed is a class of polymers comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR1## where Mu is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR2## where each of D, D', E and E' is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted-alkyl; and Az is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR3## where each of R and R' is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl and W is a single bond, alkylene or alkenylene; or Az is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR4## where each of Y and Y' represent the atoms necessary to complete a piperazine or substituted-piperazine radical.Molecularly oriented polymers of the invention exhibit birefringence and can be utilized in filter, polarizing and other optical devices.

Abstract: A class of polyamides comprising recurring units having certain substituted-biphenylene or substituted-stilbene radicals is disclosed. The substituted radicals include substituents so as to confer a non-coplanar molecular configuration and a substantially cylindrical distribution of electron density about the long axis of the recurring units and the chain-extended polymers including such radicals.Molecularly oriented polymers of the invention exhibit optically uniaxial properties. The highly birefringent polymers are suited to application in optical filter and other devices where a refractive and birefringent material is desired.

Abstract: A class of polyamides comprising recurring units having certain substituted-biphenylene or substituted-stilbene radicals is disclosed. The substituted radicals include substituents so as to confer a non-coplanar molecular configuration and a substantially cylindrical distribution of electron density about the long axis of the recurring units and the chain-extended polymers including such radicals.Molecularly oriented polymers of the invention exhibit optically uniaxial properties. The highly berefringent polymers are suited to applicaiton in optical filter and other devices where a refractive and birefringent material is desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a class of polymers comprising recurring units of the formula ##STR1## where Mu is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR2## where each of D, D', E and E' is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted-alkyl; and Az is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR3## where each of R and R' is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl and W is a single bond, alkylene or alkenylene; or Az is a divalent radical having the formula ##STR4## where each of Y and Y' represent the atoms necessary to complete a piperazine or substituted-piperazine radical.Molecularly oriented polymers of the invention exhibit birefringence and can be utilized in filter, polarizing and other optical devices.

Abstract: A class of polyamides comprising recurring units having certain substituted-biphenylene or substituted-stilbene radicals is disclosed. The substituted radicals include substituents so as to confer a non-coplanar molecular configuration and a substantially cylindrical distribution of electron density about the long axis of the recurring units and the chain-extended polymers including such radicals.Molecularly oriented polymers of the invention exhibit optically uniaxial properties. The highly birefringent polymers are suited to application in optical filter and other devices where a refractive and birefringent material is desired.