A new controllable approach to synthesize hyperbranched poly(siloxysilanes)

A new controllable approach to synthesize hyperbranched poly(siloxysilanes) via hydrosilylation of A₂‐ and B′B_x‐type monomers was developed in this work. A₂ monomers (dimethylbis(dimethylsiloxy)siloxane and tetramethyldisiloxane), B′B_x monomers (methylvinyldiallylsilane and vinyltriallylsilane), and the resultant hyperbranched poly(siloxysilanes) were well characterized using FTIR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, and SEC/MALLS. The In situ FTIR results indicate that the controllable polymerization can be carried out quickly and the reaction process was obviously performed in two stages. At the first stage, silicon hydride selectively reacts with vinyl silane groups, which produces intermediate structures with one Si? H and two (or three) allyl groups. Consequently, at the second stage, these intermediates act as new AB₂ (or AB₃) type monomers and continue to be self‐polymerized to generate hyperbranched polymers. By this novel controllable approach, molecular weights and their polydispersity of the resulted hyperbranched poly(siloxysilanes) can be conveniently regulated via adjusting the process parameters, such as feeding ratio of two monomers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2708–2720, 2008     

One‐pot synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s from commercially available dicarboxylic acids and multihydroxyl secondary amines

A convenient and cost‐effective strategy for synthesis of hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s from commercially available dicarboxylic acids (A₂) and multihydroxyl secondary amine (CB₂) has been developed. By optimizing the conditions of model reactions, the AB₂‐type intermediates were formed dominantly during the initial reaction stage. Without any purification, the AB₂ intermediate was subjected to thermal polycondensation in the absence of any catalyst to prepare the aliphatic and semiaromatic hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s bearing multi‐hydroxyl end‐groups. The FTIR and ¹H NMR spectra indicated that the polymerization proceeded in the proposed way. The DBs of the resulting polymers were confirmed by a combination of inverse‐gated decoupling ¹³C NMR, and DEPT‐135 NMR techniques. The DBs of the hyperbranched poly(ester‐amide)s were in the range of 0.44–0.73, depending on the structure of the monomers used. The hyperbranched polymers exhibited moderate molecular weights with relatively broad distributions determined by SEC. All the polymers displayed low inherent viscosity (0.11–0.25 dL/g) due to the branched nature. Structural and end‐group effects on the thermal properties of the hyperbranched polymers were investigated using DSC. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the resulting polymers exhibit reasonable thermal stability. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5077–5092, 2008     

Synthesis of hyperbranched polymers from vegetable oil based monomers via ozonolysis pathway

In this work, a variety of hyperbranched polymers (HBPs), such as hyperbranched polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes and polyacetals, was successfully synthesized from castor oil and soybean oil based monomers via a A₂ + B₃ polycondensation. First, B₃ monomer triols (TriOL), trialdehydes (TriAD), and tricarboxylic acids (TriAC) were obtained by ozonolysis of castor oil and soybean oil with following reductive or oxidative treatment. Their structures were characterized by ¹H NMR and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy as well as electrospray ionization‐Time of Flight‐mass spectrometry. These trifunctional B₃ monomers were applied in the preparation of HBPs. The resulting HBPs had number averaged molar mass (M_n) up to 9400 g/mol and weight averaged molar mass (M_w) up to 40,000 g/mol. Through adjusting the initial molar ratio of A₂ to B₃ monomers, hydroxyl terminated (from TriOL monomers) or carboxylic acid (from TriAC monomers) terminated HBPs could be obtained. All the HBPs were characterized by ¹H NMR, size exclusion chromatography, and DSC. These HBPs are potential candidates for the synthesis of cross‐linked polymeric materials or in biomedical applications. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2104–2114     

Facile synthesis of hyperbranched polyimides from A2 + BB′2 monomers

Facile syntheses of hyperbranched polyimides were realized by the polymerization of A₂ + BB^′₂ monomers, 2,2‐bis(3,4‐dicarboxylphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) + 2,4,6‐triaminopyrimidine (TAP), performed by mixing the monomers together in N‐methylpyrrolidone at 17% w/v concentrations with molar ratios of 6FDA:TAP ranging from 1:1 to 2:1. The lower reactivity of 2‐amino as compared with 4‐/6‐amino in TAP, demonstrated by ¹H NMR, was probably the main reason for no gelation formed during the polymerization although monomer conversions surpassed the theoretical gel points. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and NMR were used to verify the structures of the obtained polymers. ¹H NMR analysis indicated the degrees of branching (DB) of the polymers increased from 36 to 83% with the molar ratios of 6FDA:TAP increasing from 1:1 to 2:1. Molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography, and inherent viscosities were measured. Glass‐transition temperature values, determined by differential scanning calorimetry, decreased when DB increased, and thermogravimetric analysis reflected the excellent thermal stability of the obtained hyperbranched polyimides. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 4563–4569, 2002     

Facile synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s generated from Michael addition polymerization of in situ created AB2 monomers

A new straightforward strategy for synthesis of novel hyperbranched poly (ether amide)s from readily available monomers has been developed. By optimizing the reaction conditions, the AB₂‐type monomers were formed dominantly during the initial reaction stage. Without any purification, the AB₂ intermediate was subjected to further polymerization in the presence (or absence) of an initiator, to prepare the hyperbranched polymer‐bearing multihydroxyl end‐groups. The influence of monomer, initiator, and solvent on polymerization and the molecular weight (MW) of the resultant polymers was studied thoroughly. The MALDI–TOF MS of the polymers indicated that the polymerization proceeded in the proposed way. Analyses of ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra revealed the branched structures of the polymers obtained. These polymers exhibit high‐moderate MWs and broad MW distributions determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) in combination with triple detectors, including refractive index, light scattering, and viscosity detectors. In addition, the examination of the solution behavior of these polymers showed that the values of intrinsic viscosity [η] and the Mark–Houwink exponent α were remarkably lower compared with their linear analogs, because of their branched nature. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4309–4321, 2007     

Hyperbranched aryl polycarbonates derived from A2B monomers versus AB2 monomers

Hyperbranched aryl polycarbonates were prepared via the polymerizations of A₂B and AB₂ monomers, which involved the condensation of chloroformate (A) functionalities with tert‐butyldimethylsilyl‐protected phenols (B), facilitated by reactions with silver fluoride. The polymerization of the A₂B monomer gave hyperbranched polycarbonates bearing fluoroformate chain ends, which were hydrolyzed to phenolic chain‐end moieties and further elaborated to tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether groups. The polymerization of the AB₂ monomer gave tert‐butyldimethylsilyl ether‐terminated hyperbranched polycarbonates. The polymerizations were conducted at 23–70 °C in 20% acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran in the presence of a stoichiometric excess of silver fluoride for 20–40 h to afford hyperbranched polycarbonates with weight‐average molecular weights exceeding 100,000 Da and polydispersity indices of typically 2–3. The degrees of branching were determined by a reductive degradation procedure followed by high‐performance liquid chromatography. Alternatively, the degrees of branching were measurable by solution‐state ¹H NMR analyses and agreed with the statistical 50% branching expected for the polymerization of A₂B and AB₂ monomers not experiencing constructive or destructive electronic effects on the reactivity of the multiple functional groups. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 823–835, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10167     

Synthesis of a novel one‐pot approach of hyperbranched polyurethanes and their properties

A new method for the synthesis of hyperbranched polymers involving the use of AB_x macromonomers containing linear units have been investigated. Two types of novel hyperbranched polyurethanes have been synthesized by a one‐pot approach. The structures of monomers and polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and thermogravimetric analysis. The hyperbranched polymers have been proven to be extremely soluble in a wide range of solvents. Polymer electrolytes were prepared with hyperbranched polymer, linear polymer as the host, and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) as the ion source. Analysis of the isotherm conductivity dependence of the ion concentration indicated that these hyperbranched polymers could function as a “solvent” for the lithium salt. The conductivity increased with the increasing concentration of hyperbranched polymers in the host polymer. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 344–350, 2002     

Hydroxyl‐terminated hyperbranched aromatic poly(ether‐ester)s: Synthesis,characterization, end‐group modification,and optical properties

Novel AB₂‐type monomers such as 3,5‐bis(4‐methylolphenoxy)benzoic acid ( monomer 1 ), methyl 3,5‐bis(4‐methylolphenoxy) benzoate ( monomer 2 ), and 3,5‐bis(4‐methylolphenoxy)benzoyl chloride ( monomer 3 ) were synthesized. Solution polymerization and melt self‐polycondensation of these monomers yielded hydroxyl‐terminated hyperbranched aromatic poly(ether‐ester)s. The structure of these polymers was established using FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The molecular weights (M_w) of the polymers were found to vary from 2.0 × 10³ to 1.49 × 10⁴ depending on the polymerization techniques and the experimental conditions used. Suitable model compounds that mimic exactly the dendritic, linear, and terminal units present in the hyperbranched polymer were synthesized for the calculation of degree of branching (DB) and the values ranged from 52 to 93%. The thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, which showed no virtual weight loss up to 200 °C. The inherent viscosities of the polymers in DMF ranged from 0.010 to 0.120 dL/g. End‐group modification of the hyperbranched polymer was carried out with phenyl isocyanate, 4‐(decyloxy)benzoic acid and methyl red dye. The end‐capping groups were found to change the thermal properties of the polymers such as T_g. The optical properties of hyperbranched polymer and the dye‐capped hyperbranched polymer were investigated using ultraviolet‐absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5414–5430, 2008     

s‐Triazine‐based hyperbranched polyethers: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

A series of s‐triazine‐based hyperbranched polyethers (HBPE) have been synthesized to obtain thermostability but flexible polymers by an interfacial polycondensation of different diols as A₂ and cyanuric chloride as B₃ monomers using A₂ + B₃ approach in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst. The polymerization reaction parameters are optimized, and the results indicate that the optimum conditions for the interfacial polycondensation are a 2:3 mole ratio of cyanuric chloride to diol using butanediol, benzyldimethylhexadecyl ammonium chloride as the catalyst, dichloromethane as the organic solvent, and a three‐step procedure with keeping the reaction mixture at different low temperatures for 2h/2h/5h. Other techniques such as high‐temperature solution, one‐step polycondensation, and transesterification were also carried out to synthesize the HBPE but proved to be not suitable due to large number of side reactions. The synthesized polymers were characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, hydroxyl number determination, solution viscosity measurements, and GPC analysis. The thermal behavior of the hyperbranched polymer was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. All the results were compared with those from an analogous linear polyether, obtained from 2‐methoxy‐4,6‐dichloro‐s‐triazine and butanediol by using the same polymerization technique. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3994–4004, 2010     

Architecture‐controlled synthesis of redox‐degradable hyperbranched polyglycerol block copolymers and the structural implications of their degradation

We have successfully synthesized a series of redox‐degradable hyperbranched polyglycerols using a disulfide containing monomer, 2‐((2‐(oxiran‐2‐ylmethoxy)ethyl)disulfanyl) ethan‐1‐ol (SSG), to yield PSSG homopolymers and hyperbranched block copolymers, P(G‐b‐SSG) and P(SSG‐b‐G), containing nondegradable glycerol (G) monomers. Using these polymers, we have explored the structures of the hyperbranched block copolymers and their related degradation products. Furthermore, side reaction such as reduction of disulfide bond during the polymerization was investigated by employing the free thiol titration experiments. We elucidated the structures of the degradation products with respect to the architecture of the hyperbranched block copolymer under redox conditions using ¹H NMR and GPC measurements. For example, the degradation products of P(G‐b‐SSG) and P(SSG‐b‐G) are clearly different, demonstrating the clear distinction between linear and hyperbranched block copolymers. We anticipate that this study will extend the structural diversity of PG based polymers and aid the understanding of the structures of degradable hyperbranched PG systems. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1752–1761     

The preparation of hyperbranched aromatic and aliphatic polyether epoxies by chloride‐catalyzed proton transfer polymerization from ABn and A2 + B3 monomers

Hyperbranched polymers consisting of aromatic or aliphatic polyether cores and epoxide chain‐end peripheries were prepared by proton transfer polymerization. AB₂ diepoxyphenol monomer 1 proved to be well suited for the preparation of hyperbranched aromatic polymer 2 by this proton transfer polymerization. The use of chloride‐ion catalysis, rather than conventional base catalysis, for the preparation of polymers from diepoxyphenol 1 offered a unique method to control the ultimate molecular weight of the polymer product through variations of the initial concentration of monomer 1 in tetrahydrofuran. An alternative route to hyperbranched polyether epoxies made use of commercially available or easily prepared aliphatic monomers of the types AB₂, AB₃, and A₂ + B₃. Although these aliphatic polymerizations can be initiated with a base, chloride‐ion catalysis proved most effective for controlling the polymerization. The hyperbranched epoxies were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, and multi‐angle laser light scattering. Chemical modification of the polymers after polymerization was carried out via nucleophilic addition on the epoxide groups or derivatization of the hydroxy substituents within the hyperbranched polymer structure. Spectroscopic measurements suggested that some such ring‐opened materials may adopt reverse unimolecular micellar structures in appropriate solution environments. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 4850–4869, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of N‐substituted hyperbranched polyureas

N,N′‐disubstituted hyperbranched polyureas with methyl, benzyl, and allyl substitutents were synthesized starting from AB₂ monomers based on 3,5‐diamino benzoic acid. Carbonyl azide approach, which generates isocyanate group in situ on thermal decomposition, was used for the protection of isocyanate functional groups. The N‐substituted hyperbranched polymers can be considered as the new class of internally functionalized hyperbranched polyureas wherein the substituent can function either as receptor or as a chemical entity for selective transformations as a tool to tailor the properties. The chain‐ends were also modified by attaching long chain aliphatic groups to fully realize the interior functionalization. This approach opens up a possible synthetic route wherein different functional substituents can be used to generate a library of internally functionalized hyperbranched polymers. All the hyperbranched polyureas were characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, DSC, TGA, and size exclusion chromatography. Degree of branching in these N,N′‐disubstituted hyperbranched polyureas, as calculated by ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy using model compounds, was found to be lower than the unsubstituted hyperbranched polyurea and is attributed to the lower reactivity of N‐substituted amines compared to that of unsubstituted amines. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5134–5145, 2004     

Photoactive liquid crystalline polymers: A comprehensive study of linear and hyperbranched polymers synthesized by A2B2, A2B3, A3B2, and A3B3 approaches

A series of linear and hyperbranched polyester epoxies, with varied structural parameters such as kinked structure and different dendritic architectures, were synthesized by A₂ + B₂, A₂ + B₃, A₃ + B₂, and A₃ + B₃ approaches. The structures of synthesized monomers and polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The effect of varied structural parameters on phase behavior and photoresponsive properties was investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter, thermal optical polarized microscope, UV–visible spectroscopy, photoviscosity, and refractive index studies. The transition temperatures of hyperbranched polymers were higher than that of the corresponding linear analogues. All the polymers showed nematic phase (nematic droplets) over a broad temperature range. The effect of kinked structural unit on photoresponsive property is less in both linear and hyperbranched architectures. Although the effect of architectural nature is highly considerable within the hyperbranched architectures, the polymer (HPE–33) synthesized by A₃ + B₃ approach showed highest rate of photocrosslinking, followed by HPE–I 32; HPE–T 32, and HPE–23, which were synthesized by A₃ + B₂ and A₂ + B₃ approaches, respectively. The findings in photoresponsive properties were further supported by molecular modeling studies. Substantial variation of refractive index (0.015–0.024) indicates that these polymers could be used for optical recording. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Michael addition polymerizations of difunctional amines (AA′) and triacrylamides (B3)

Novel hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s containing tertiary amines on the backbones and acryl or secondary amines as the surface groups were successfully synthesized via the Michael addition polymerizations of a triacrylamide [1,3,5‐triacryloylhexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazine (TT)] and a difunctional amine [n‐butylamine (BA)] NMR techniques were used to clarify the structures of hyperbranched polymers and polymerization mechanism. The reactivity of the secondary amine formed in situ was much lower than that of the primary amines in BA. When the feed molar ratio was 1:1 TT/BA, the secondary amine formed in situ was almost kept out of the reaction before the BA (AA′) and TT (B₃) monomers were consumed, and this led to the formation of A′B₂ intermediates containing one secondary amine group and two acryl groups. The self‐polymerization of the A′B₂ intermediates produced hyperbranched polymers bearing acryl as surface groups. For the polymerization with the feed molar ratio of 1:2 TT/BA, A′₂B intermediates containing one acryl group and two secondary amine groups were accumulated until self‐polymerization started; the self‐polymerization of the intermediates formed hyperbranched polymers with secondary amines as their surface groups. Modifications of surface functional groups were studied to form new hyperbranched polymers. The hyperbranched poly(amido amine)s were amorphous. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6226–6242, 2006     

Two protocols for the preparation of [2]rotaxanes based on the dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand/paraquat recognition motif

Host–guest complexation between a dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand and a paraquat derivative was studied. Subsequently, two novel [2]rotaxanes based on the dibenzo-24-crown-8-based cryptand/paraquat recognition motif were prepared by threading-followed-by-stoppering method and single-pot method, respectively. The obtained mechanically interlocked structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, 2D NMR, and ESI-MS.     

Synthesis of hyperbranched poly(ether nitrile)s by one‐step polycondensation of an AB2 monomer

Hyperbranched poly(ether nitrile)s were prepared from a novel AB₂ type monomer, 2‐chloro‐4‐(3,5‐dihydroxyphenoxy)benzonitrile, via nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Soluble and low‐viscous hyperbranched polymers with molecular weights upto 233,600 (M_w) were isolated. According to the ¹H NMR and GPC data, the unique polymerization behavior was observed, which implies that the weight average molecular weight increased after the number average molecular weight reached plateau region. Model compounds were prepared to characterize the branching structure. Spectroscopic measurements of the model compounds and the resulting polymers, such as ¹H, DEPT ¹³C NMR, and MS, strongly suggest that the ether exchange reaction and cyclization are involved in the propagation reaction. The side reactions would affect the unique polymerization behavior. The resulting polymers showed a good solubility in organic solvents similar to other hyperbranched aromatic polymers. The hydroxy‐terminated polymer was even soluble in basic water. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5835–5844, 2009     

Fluoride‐terminated hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s via nucleophilic aromatic substitution

A series of AB_x‐type triarylphosphine oxide monomers, bis‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)phosphine oxide ( 4a ), bis‐(3,4‐difluorophenyl)‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)phosphine oxide ( 4b ), and 4‐hydroxyphenyl‐bis‐(3,4,5‐trifluorophenyl)phosphine oxide ( 4c ) were prepared, characterized, and polymerized under nucleophilic aromatic substitution conditions [N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP), K₂CO₃] to provide the corresponding hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s with number‐average molecular weights ranging from 9200 to 14,600 Da. NMR spectroscopic analysis indicated the presence of highly branched products with an approximate degree of branching of 0.57. The polymers were soluble in a variety of typical organic solvents and displayed excellent thermal stability. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1456–1467, 2002     

Polycyclotrimerization of aromatic diynes: Synthesis,thermal stability,and light‐emitting properties of hyperbranched polyarylenes

New aromatic diyne monomers of 1,4‐diethynyl‐2,5‐(dihexyloxy)benzene ( 1 ), 1,6‐diethynyl‐2‐(hexyloxy)naphthalene ( 2 ), and 9,9‐bis(4‐ethynylphenyl)fluorene ( 3 ) are synthesized. Their homopolymerizations and copolymerizations with 1‐octyne ( 4 ) or phenylacetylene ( 5 ) are effected by TaBr₅–Ph₄Sn and CpCo(CO)₂–hν, giving soluble hyperbranched polyarylenes with high molecular weights (M_w up to ～ 2.9 × 10⁵) in high yields (up to 99%). The structures and properties of the polymers are characterized and evaluated by IR, NMR, UV, PL, and TGA analysis. The polymers show excellent thermal stability (T_d > 400 °C) and carbonize when pyrolyzed at 900 °C. Upon photoexcitation, the polymers emit deep blue light in the vicinity of ～400 nm with fluorescence quantum yields up to 92%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4249–4263, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of hyperbranched polyfluorenes containing triarylpyrazoline cores towards efficient blue light‐emitting diodes

New series of hyperbranched polyfluorenes containing triarylpyrazoline cores, PFZ10 , PFZ20 , PFNZ10 , and PFNZ20 , have been synthesized according to the “A₂ + A′₂ + B₃” Suzuki coupling method. The structures and property of the monomers and conjugated polymers were characterized by elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography, cyclic voltammetry, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and UV–visible absorption, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. All these polymers exhibited good solubility in common organic solvents and good thermal stability. The long‐wavelength emission of polyfluorenes had been effectively reduced in these hyperbranched polymers. Standard polymer light emitting devices (PLEDs) from PFZ10 , PFZ20 , PFNZ10 , and PFNZ20 , with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT/polymer/TPBI/Alq₃/Mg:Ag, exhibited good electroluminescence (EL) properties The PLED based on PFNZ10 emitted pure blue light with a low turn‐on voltage of 5.3 V and a high EL efficiency of about 1.93%. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5296–5307, 2007     

Poly(ether sulfone)s using a rigid dibenzothiophene dioxide heterocycle

Poly(aryl ether)s were prepared by nucleophilic aromatic substitution using conformationally restricted dichloro‐ and difluorodibenzothiophene dioxide heterocyclic monomers with bisphenol A or bisphenol AF. The heterocyclic monomers were prepared from the bis(4‐halophenyl) sulfones in two steps via lithiation followed by copper catalyzed intramolecular coupling and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and GC/MS. Reactivity of the fluorine containing monomer was examined using semi‐empirical methods and NMR spectroscopy measurements and found to be potentially more reactive than bis(4‐fluorophenyl) sulfone, even with a conformationally locked sulfone as the electron withdrawing group. Successful polymerizations of both the fluorine and chlorine containing monomers with bisphenol A and bisphenol AF nucleophiles were accomplished, providing polymers with number average molecular weights of approximately 45 kg/mol (difluoro monomer) and 10–20 kg/mol (dichloro monomer). The polymers exhibited high T_gs ranging from 238 to 256 °C and displayed good thermal stability with 5% degradation temperatures in air from 453–510 °C, depending on molecular weight and bisphenol composition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3127–3131