Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(arylene ether)s containing 1,3,4-oxadiazole units

Starting from some new 2,5-disubstituted-1,3,4-oxadiazole difluorides, synthesized by cyclocondensation of dihydrazides with 4-fluorobenzoic acid, novel poly(arylene ether)s were prepared by halo displacement polymerizations with bisphenol A in the presence of potassium carbonate. Model reactions demonstrated the unsuitableness for halo displacement reactions of the difluoride containing the SO₂ group. The synthesis and characterization of polymers are discussed and the thermal properties are compared with those of other polymers reported in literature.