Synthesis,characterization, and comparison of properties of new fluorinated poly(arylene ether)s containing phthalimidine moiety in the main chain

Four new poly(arylene ether)s have been prepared by the reaction of N‐phenyl‐3,3‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)phthalimidine (PA) with four different perfluoroalkylated monomers namely 1,3‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) benzene, 4,4′‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) biphenyl, 2,6‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) pyridine, and 2,5‐bis(4′‐fluoro‐3′‐trifluoromethyl benzyl) thiophene. The poly(arylene ether)s were characterized by different spectroscopic, thermal, mechanical, and electrical techniques. The poly(arylene ether) containing quadriphenyl unit in the main chain showed very high glass transition temperature of 291°C and outstanding thermal stability upto 556°C for 10% weight loss under a 4:1 nitrogen:oxygen mixture. The polymers were soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. Transparent thin films of these polymers exhibited tensile strengths upto 75 MPa and elongation at break upto 32%. The films of these polymers showed low water absorption of 0.26%. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of novel polyxanthenes from poly(arylene ether)s containing benzoyl groups

Poly(arylene ether)s ( 3 ), ( 4 ) containing pendant benzoyl groups as precursors for novel polyxanthenes ( 7 ), ( 8 ) were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2,5-difluoro-4-benzoylbenzophenone ( 1 ) or 2,5-difluoro-4-(4-dodecylbenzoyl)-4′-dodecylbenzophenone ( 2 ) with hydroquinone derivatives in the presence of potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethylacetamide. The polycondensation proceeded smoothly at 165°C and produced poly(arylene ether)s with inherent viscosities up to 0.80 dL/g. The novel polyxanthenes were synthesized via the reduction of poly(arylene ether)s followed by the Friedel-Crafts cyclization of diol polymers. The structure of the polyxanthenes was characterized by ¹H-NMR and IR spectroscopies. Polyxanthene 8 was quite soluble in chloroform and THF. The 10% weight loss temperature of polyxanthene 7 was 510°C in nitrogen and it was 90°C higher than the corresponding poly(arylene ether) 3 . © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2267–2272, 1997     

Poly(arylene ether)s and poly(arylene thioether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)- phthalazinone moiety

A series of new high molecular weight poly(arylene ether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)phthalazinone moiety have been synthesized. The inherent viscosities of these polymers are in the range of 0.33–0.64 dL/g. They are amorphous and readily soluble in chloroform, DMF, and DMAc. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers range from 241 to 320°C and the 5% weight loss temperatures in nitrogen atmosphere range from 473 to 517°C. The hydroxy group in the monomer 1,2-dihydro-4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)(2H)phthalazin-1-one has been selectively transformed into the N,N′-dimethylthiocarbamate group, which was then rearranged to give the S-(N,N′-dimethylcarbamate) group via the Newman–Kwart rearrangement reaction. A series of poly(arylene thioether)s containing the 1,2-dihydro-4-phenyl(2H)phthalazinone moiety have also been synthesized via two types of reactions, a N C coupling reaction and a one-pot reaction between the S-(N,N′-dimethylcarbamate) and activated dihalo compounds, in diphenyl sulfone in the presence of a cesium carbonate and calcium carbonate mixture. These poly(arylene thioether)s also have high glass transition temperatures (ranging from 217–303°C) and high thermal stabilities. Compared with their poly(ether) analogs, the poly(arylene thioether)s have glass transition temperatures several degrees lower, which is attributed to the more flexible C S C bonds. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36 : 455–460, 1998     

Synthesis and properties of poly[arylene ether (N-arylenebenzimidazole)]s

Poly(arylene ether)s containing N-arylenebenzimidazole groups were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of two new bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s with activated aromatic difluorides in sulfolane at 200°C in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The bis(hydroxyphenyl-N-arylenebenzimidazole)s were prepared from bis(o-aminoanilino) arylenes and phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate. The polymers were soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone and m-cresol and exhibited inherent viscosities from 0.37–0.86 dL/g and glass transition temperatures from 219–289°C. Thermogravimetric analyses showed 5% weight losses from 463–506°C in air and 467–522°C in nitrogen. Unoriented thin films exhibited tensile strengths, moduli, and break elongations at 23°C of 10.2–12.5 ksi, 318–365 ksi, and 4–7%, respectively, and at 177°C of 5.1–6.9 ksi, 256–296 ksi, and 1–5%, respectively. A 50 : 50 random copolymer prepared from 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl) benzene, 1,1'-(4,4'-biphenylene)-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole], and 5,5'-bis[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole] exhibited higher moisture absorption and lower tensile properties than those predicted by a rule of mixtures relationship. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of these polymers are discussed. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.?     

Effects of the structure on the properties of new poly(arylene ether sulfone)s containing naphthalene units

A series of new poly(arylene ether sulfone)s has been obtained by solution condensation polymerisation starting from 1,5- and 2,6-bis-(4-fluorosulfonyl)naphthalene with various aromatic dihydroxy compounds. The polymers, obtained in quantitative yields, possessed inherent viscosities in the range 0.28-0.68 dl g⁻¹, had good thermal stability (10% weight loss temperatures were above 405 and 420 °C respectively in nitrogen and air) and high glass transition temperatures (in the range 217-258 °C). They have been characterised by elemental and infrared analyses, GPC and wide-angle X-ray diffraction. The properties of these poly(arylene ether sulfone)s have been compared with those of the corresponding poly(arylene ether ketone)s.     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic poly(ether ketone)s containing cyclotriphosphazene units. II

A new monomer di(4‐carboxyphenoxy) tetrakis(4‐fluorophenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene 1 was synthesized in a two‐step reaction sequence. The direct polycondensation of 1 and/or 4,4′‐dicarboxydiphenylether with aromatic ethers was carried out in P₂O₅/methanesulfonic acid (Eaton's reagent) at 120 °C for 3 h to give two series of aromatic poly(ether ketone)s containing cyclotriphosphazene units. The effect of the introduction of the cyclotriphosphazene group on the solubility and thermal properties of these polymers was discussed with relation to the cyclotriphosphazene contents. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 2300–2305, 2000     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moieties for proton exchange membrane

A series of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moiety were synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with bisphenols in an aprotic solvent in the presence of excess potassium carbonate. High molecular weight and fibrous polymers in white color can be readily afforded in short reaction time. The structures of the synthesized monomers and polymers were investigated by ¹H NMR and MS techniques. The sulfonation position of the synthesized polymer can be easily controlled and the water-up-take can be conveniently tailored by changing the amount of sulfonation agent. This sulfonated polymer 4b is soluble in polar organic solvents, such as NMP, DMAc, DMSO, DMF, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The sulfonated polymers can be potentially used as the proton-exchange membranes for fuel-cells.     

Synthesis and sulfonation of poly(arylene ether)s containing tetraphenyl methane moieties

Novel poly(arylene ether)s with sulfonic acid containing pendent groups were successfully synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with bisphenols in an aprotic solvent in the presence of excess potassium carbonate followed by sulfonation with chlorosulfonic acid. The sulfonation took place only at the controlled positions on the phenyl rings due to the novel bisphenol structures designed. The sulfonic acid group containing polymers were very soluble in common organic solvents, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N′‐dimethylacetamide, and dimethylformamide, but swelled only slightly in water. These sulfonic acid group containing polymers were readily cast into tough and smooth films from organic solvents. The synthesized polymers had high glass‐transition temperatures of 171.0–240.7 °C and high molecular weights of 15,600–33,000 Da. These films could potentially be used as proton‐exchange membranes for fuel cells. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1779–1788, 2004     

Synthesis and properties of new crystalline poly(arylene ether)s containing pendant benzoyl groups

Poly(arylene ether)s ( 3 ) containing pendant benzoyl groups were prepared by the aromatic substitution reaction of 2,5-difluoro-4-benzoylbenzophenone (2) with hydroquinone ( 1a ) and methylhydroquinone ( 1b ) in the presence of potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethylacetamide. The polycondensation proceeded smoothly at 165°C and produced poly(arylene ether)s with inherent viscosities up to 0.8 dL/g. The polymer ( 3b ) derived from methylhydroquinone was quite soluble in common organic solvents and could be processed into uniform films from solutions. On the other hand, the polymer ( 3a ) derived from hydroquinone was only soluble in pentafluorophenol and methanesulfonic acid and had a high crystallinity. These polymers showed 10% weight losses at around 420 and 490°C in nitrogen. Polymer 3b also showed good tensile strength and tensile moduli. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 605–611, 1997     

Synthesis of thermally crosslinkable fluorine‐containing poly(arylene ether ketone)s—II. Propargyl ether terminated poly(arylene ether ketone)s

Novel thermally crosslinkable fluorine‐containing poly(arylene ether ketone)s comprised of 2,3,5, 6‐tetrafluoro‐1,4‐phenylene moiety were synthesized by the termination of polymer chain ends with propargyl ether groups in order to improve solvent resistance. Crosslinking reaction occurred over 250°C through the formation of both chromen ring and polyene structure. This structure change brought about not only the outstanding solvent resistance but also the increase in glass transition temperature (T_g). The cured films also exhibited excellent thermal stability, transparency and hydrophobicity derived from fluorine atoms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Free volume in glassy poly(arylene ether ketone)s

Amorphous polyarylene ether ketones were examined in the glassy state by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and in the melt by standard rheological techniques. Specimens were well-characterized fractions of two isomeric structures. PALS clearly shows that the polymer with meta linkages in its backbone contains larger voids (> 0.25 nm radius). Thus despite their similar bulk densities, the two materials must pack very differently on a local scale. On the other hand, the free volumes inferred from the WLF treatment of melt viscosity data are practically identical in both materials ca. 4% at T_g. The comparison between techniques sheds some light on the distribution of free volume. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of poly(arylene ether ketone)s containing phthalazinone moieties

A series of novel poly(arylene ether ketone)s were synthesized from the reaction of hydroquinone and 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-phthalazin-1-one with 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone in N-cyclohexylpyrrolidinone containing anhydrous potassium carbonate. The polymers exhibited high glass transition temperatures together with excellent thermooxidative stability. The chain structure of these polymers was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide-angle X-ray diffraction techniques (WAXD), and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The experimental results indicated that these “as-made” copoly(aryleneketone)s containing hydroquinone moieties exhibited a block chain structure with segments which mainly consisted of hydroquinone and 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone. These chain segments resulted in crystallites in the polymers although they are thermodynamically unstable. The polymers showed thermal properties comparable to commercial PEEK, but the conditions for synthesis are much milder. The glass transition temperatures and solubilities of the copoly(arylene ketone)s tended to increase with increasing phthalazinone moiety content, while the crystallite melting points and crystallinity appeared to decrease. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1781–1788, 1999     

Synthesis and characterization of phthalazinone containing poly(arylene ether)s via a novel N–C coupling reaction

High‐molecular‐weight poly(phthalazinone)s with very high glass‐transition temperatures (T_g's) were synthesized via a novel N–C coupling reaction. New bisphthalazinone monomers ( 7a–e ) were synthesized from 2‐(4‐chlorobenzoyl) phthalic acid in two steps. Poly(phthalazinone)s, having inherent viscosities in the range of 0.34–0.91 dL/g, were prepared by the reaction of the bis(phthalazinone) monomers with an activated aryl halide in a dipolar aprotic solvent in the presence of potassium carbonate. The poly(phthalazinone)s exhibited T_g's greater than 230 °C. polymer 8b synthesized from diphenyl biphenol and bis(4‐flurophenyl) sulfone demonstrated the highest T_g of 297 °C. Thermal stabilities of the poly(phthalazinone)s were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. All the poly(phthalazinone)s showed a similar pattern of decomposition with no weight loss below 450 °C in nitrogen. The temperatures of 5% weight loss were observed to be about 500 °C. The poly(phthalazinone)s containing 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol and 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphenol and diphenyl ether linkage were soluble in chlorinated solvents such as chloroform. Other poly‐(phthalazinone)s were soluble in dipolar aprotic solvents such as N,N′‐dimethylacetamide. The soluble poly(phthalazinone)s can be cast as flexible films from solution. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2481–2490, 2003     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble,fluorescent poly(arylene ether)s,poly(arylene thioether)s,and poly(arylene sulfone)s containing 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene segments

The bisphenol 4,4″‐dihydroxy‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl ( 4 ), containing a 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene moiety, was synthesized from a pyrylium salt obtained by the reaction of benzaldehyde with p‐methoxyacetophenone with boron trifluoride etherate as a condensing agent. Polymers were obtained from 4 by a nucleophilic displacement reaction with various activated difluoro monomers and with K₂CO₃ as a base. A series of new poly(arylene ether)s ( 8a – 8f ) were obtained that contained phenyl‐substituted m‐terphenyl segments in the polymer chain. Polymers with inherent viscosities of 0.41–0.99 dL/g were obtained in yields greater than 96%. The polymers were soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including nonpolar solvents such as toluene. Clear, transparent, and flexible films cast from CHCl₃ showed high glass‐transition temperatures (T_g = 198–270 °C) and had excellent thermal stability, as shown by temperatures of 5% weight loss greater than 500 °C. 4 was converted via N,N‐dimethyl‐O‐thiocarbamate into the masked dithiol 4,4″‐bis(N,N′‐dimethyl‐S‐thiocarbamate)‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl and was polymerized with activated difluoro compounds in the presence of a mixture of Cs₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ as a base in diphenyl sulfone as a solvent. A series of new poly(arylene thioether)s ( 9a – 9e ) were obtained with T_g values similar to those of 8a – 8e . 9a – 9e were further oxidized into poly(arylene sulfone)s with T_g values 40–80 °C higher than those for 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e . These polymers also had good solubility in organic solvents. A sulfonic acid group was selectively introduced onto the pendent phenyl group of polymers 8a and 8f by reaction with chlorosulfonic acid. The polymers were soluble in dipolar aprotic solvents and formed films via casting from dimethylformamide. Polymers 8a – 8f , 11a , and 11f showed blue and red fluorescence under ultraviolet–visible light with emission maxima at 380–440 nm. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 496–510, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10136     

Controlled sulfonation of poly(arylene ether sulfone)s and poly(arylene ether ketone)s with different molecular structures for polymer electrolyte membranes

Poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers derived from 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, bisphenol S and 4,4′-difluorodiphenylsulfone and poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers derived from 4-phenoxybiphenyl, diphenyl ether and isophthaloyl chloride were prepared as precursor polymers for sulfonation reaction in which sulfonic groups are introduced quantitatively into specified positions. Sulfonation reaction for these two series of copolymers by concentrated sulfuric acid was successfully carried out to give sulfonated polymers with controlled positions and degree of sulfonation. Thermal stability, moisture absorption and proton conductivity for these two series of copolymers were measured and the results were compared to those of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers.     

Synthesis and characterization of aromatic poly(ether ketone)s containing cyclotriphosphazene units

Bis(4-oxybenzoic acid) tetrakis(phenoxy) cyclotriphosphazene (IUPAC name: 4-[4-(carboxyphenoxy)-2,4,6,6-tetraphenoxy-1,3,5,2λ⁵,4λ⁵,6λ⁵-triazatriphosphinin-2-yl]oxy-benzoic acid) was synthesized and direct polycondensed with diphenylether or 1,4-diphenoxybenzene in Eaton's reagent at the temperature range of 80–120°C for 3 hours to give aromatic poly(ether ketone)s. Polycondensations at 120°C gave polymer of high molecular weight. Incorporation of cyclotriphosphazene groups in the aromatic poly(ether ketone) backbone greatly enhanced the solubility of these polymers in common organic polar solvents. Thermal stabilities by TGA for two polymer samples of polymer series ranged from 390 to 354°C in nitrogen at 10% weight loss and glass transition temperatures (T_g) ranged from 81.4 to 89.6°C by DSC. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1227–1232, 1998     

Poly(arylene ether)s,poly(arylene thioether)s,and poly(arylene sulfone)s derived from a dihydroxy(imidoarylene) monomer

Novel poly(arylene ether)s, poly(arylene thioether)s, and poly(arylene sulfone)s were synthesized from the dihydroxy(imidoarylene) monomer 1 . The syntheses of poly(arylene ether)s were carried out in DMAc in the presence of anhydrous K₂CO₃ by a nucleophilic substitution reaction between the bisphenol and activated difluoro compounds. Poly(arylene thioether)s were synthesized according to the recently discovered one-pot polymerization reaction between a bis(N,N′-dimethyl-S-carbamate) and activated difluoro compounds in the presence of a mixture of Cs₂CO₃ and CaCO₃. The bis(N,N′-dimethyl-S-carbamate) 3 was synthesized by the thermal rearrangement reaction of bis(N,N′-dimethylthiocarbamate) 2 , which was synthesized from 1 by a phase-transfer catalyzed reaction. The poly(arylene thioether)s were further oxidized to form poly(arylene sulfone)s, which would be very difficult, if not impossible, to synthesize by other methods. All of the polymers described have extremely high T_gs and thermal stability as determined from DSC and TGA analysis. Poly(arylene sulfone)s have the highest T_gs and they are in the range of 298–361°C. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 1201–1208, 1998     

Synthesis of poly(arylene ether ketone)s bearing skeletal crown ether units for cation exchange membranes

Poly(arylene ether ketone)s (PAEKs) are the most commonly known high‐performance materials used for ion exchange and fuel cell membranes. Described here is the design of novel sulfonated PAEKs (SPAEKs) and nonsulfonated PAEKs containing crown ether units in the main chain, which can be used in sensing applications and ion‐selective membranes. To this end, 4,4′(5′)‐di(hydroxybenzo)‐18‐crown‐6 was synthesized and used as monomer in a step growth polymerization to form crown ether‐containing PAEKs and SPAEKs. The successful synthesis of PAEKs containing 18‐crown‐6 and sulfonate groups was confirmed by gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Membranes are fabricated from the sulfonated polymers. Potassium ion transport properties of the SPAEK and crown ether‐containing SPAEK membranes are assessed by diffusion dialysis. Potassium ion diffusion in the crown ether‐containing SPAEK membranes is almost four times lower than K⁺ diffusion in the native polymer membranes, without crown ether. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2786–2793     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether)s derived from 4,4′‐bishydroxybiphenyl and 4,4′‐bishydroxyterphenyl

A series of poly(arylene ether)s were successfully prepared by aromatic, nucleophilic substitution reactions with various perfluoroalkyl‐activated bisfluoromonomers with 4,4′‐bishydroxybiphenyl and 4,4′‐bishydroxyterphenyl. 4,4′‐Bishydroxyterphenyl was synthesized through the Grignard coupling reaction of magnesium salt of 4‐bromoanisole with dibromobenzene followed by demethylation with pyridine–hydrochloride. The products obtained by the displacement of fluorine atoms exhibited good inherent viscosity, up to 0.77 dL/g, and number‐average molecular weights up to 69,300. These poly(arylene ether)s showed very good thermal stability, up to 548 °C for 5% weight loss according to thermogravimetric analysis under synthetic air, and high glass‐transition temperatures, up to 259 °C according to differential scanning calorimetry, depending on the exact repeat unit structure. These polymers were soluble in a wide range of organic solvents, such as N‐methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, tetrahydrofuran, toluene, and CHCl₃, and were insoluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and acetone. Thin films of these poly(arylene ether)s showed good transparency and exhibited tensile strengths up to 132 MPa, moduli up to 3.34 GPa, and elongations at break up to 84%, depending on their exact repeating unit structures. These values are comparable to those of high‐performance thermoplastic materials such as poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK) and Ultem poly(ether imide) (PEI). These poly(arylene ether)s exhibited low dielectric constants. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 55–69, 2002     

Self-Crosslinkable poly(arylene ether)s containing pendent phenylenetriazene groups

Self-crosslinkable poly(arylene ether)s 6 , and 8 , containing pendent triazene groups were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reaction of poly(arylene ether)s 5 , and 7 , respectively, with 1-[4-(4-hydroxyphenoxy)phenylene]triazenes, 4 , in the presence of potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethylacetamide. A series of triazenes 4 containing various substituents have been synthesized. Self-crosslinkable polymer 6e containing phenyl-substituted triazene pendants can be crosslinked at 215°C, which is about 40°C lower than the glass transition temperature of the virgin base polymer 5 . The degree of crosslinking can be tailored by varying the concentration of the pendent phenylenetriazene groups in the polymer. After curing, the flexible polymer films (ca. 10 μm thick) exhibit high gel contents, increased glass transition temperatures, improved resistance to organic solvents, and little change in dielectric constant and thermal stability. These self-crosslinkable poly(arylene ether)s are potential candidates for electronic applications. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.