Synthesis of 1,1,9,9-tetrafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane and its polymerization by vapor deposition method

1,1,9,9-Tetrafluoro[2.2]paracyclophane ( 1 ) was prepared successfully as white crystals in 72% yield via two-step reactions from 1,9-diketo[2.2]-paracyclophane. The polymerization of 1 by the vapor deposition method was carried out at pyrolysis temperature range of 400 to 800°C and deposition temperature range of ?20 to 20°C, and a tough, transparent poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene) film was obtained in 72% yield at the pyrolysis temperature of 750°C and the deposition temperature of ?20°C. It was found that the pyrolysis of 1 gave a reactive α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene, which polymerized on the head-to-tail addition to give poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene). Some properties such as solubility, thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and density for poly(α,α-difluoro-p-xylylene) were studied. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.