Synthesis of aromatic polyethers by Scholl reaction. V. Synthesis and polymerization of 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl]benzene, 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)benzoyl]benzene,bis[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenyl]methane, 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenylmethyl]benzene,and 1,4-bis-[4-(1-naphthoxy)phenylmethyl]benzene

This article describes the synthesis and the cation-radical polymerization (Scholl reaction) of 1,3-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl] benzene ( 6 ) and 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) benzoyl]- benzene ( 7 ) initiated by FeCI₃. This polymerization produced poly(ether ether ketone ketone)s (PEEKK) of number average molecular weight (M?_n) up to 5400 g/mol. The synthesis of bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenyl] methane ( 8 ), 1,3-bis[4-(1-napthoxy) phenylmethyl] benzene ( 9 ), and 1,4-bis[4-(1-naphthoxy) phenylmethyl] benzene ( 10 ) are also described. Polyethers of M?_n up to 15400 g/mol at a FeCl₃/monomer molar ratio of 2/1 were obtained. An increased polymerizability of the monomers 9 and 10 containing two CH₂ groups versus that of the corresponding monomers containing two carbonyl groups ( 6 and 7 ) was observed. This enhanced polymerizability was explained based on the increased nucleophilicity of monomers 9 and 10 .