Our research laboratories have successfully synthesized semi-fluorinated aromatic ether polymers including perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers prepared via thermal cyclodimerization of trifluorovinyl ether (TFVE) monomers. As a complement to PFCB aromatic ether polymers, we have also reported semi-fluorinated arylene vinylene ether (FAVE) and perfluorocycloalkenyl aryl ether (PFCA) polymers that are obtained by the nucleophilic addition/elimination of bisphenols with TFVEs and bisphenols with perfluorocycloalkenes, respectively. <br/>In this study, we report the first synthesis of semi-fluorinated aryl ether sulfone polymers via our previously discovered PFCA polymer chemistry (Scheme 1). Aromatic sulfone containing polymers are an important class of high performance engineering thermoplastics that demonstrates modulus retention at high temperatures, heat resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion and excellent hydrolytic stability. In this study, we also report the synthesis and characterization of fluorinated arylene vinyl ether (FAVE) polymers from bis-phenolic aromatic cores and aromatic bis-trifluorovinyl ethers (Scheme 2). The chemical structures of the as-synthesized bis-phenolic aromatic cores and bis-perfluoroalkenyl monomers were studied by FTIR, HR-MS, and NMR. The physico-chemical and thermal properties of the as-synthesized PFCA and FAVE polymers were evaluated by FTIR, NMR, GPC, DSC and TGA. DSC analyses of PFCA and FAVE polymers revealed glass transition temperatures (T<sub>g</sub>) of 80 and 140 °C, respectively. Additionally, GPC analyses revealed Mn values of 37,000 and 23,000 for PFCA and FAVE aryl ether polymers, respectively. By this work, we highlight development of two tough, transparent, creasable, film-forming PFCA and FAVE polymeric materials that are suitable for diversified applications.

Semifluorinated poly(ether sulfones) and fluorinated arylene vinyl ether polymers: Synthesis and characterization

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.