Synthesis of aromatic polyethers containing 2,6(7)-dihydroxy [1,3,5(6),7(8)-tetramethylanthracene] units

Friedel–Crafts copolymerization of 4,4′ bis(2,6-dimethylphenoxy-4-Phenyl)sulfone with methylene chloride used both as comonomer and solvent leads to linear and soluble aromatic polyethers containing 2,6(7)-dihydroxy1,3,5(6),7(8)-tetramethylanthracene] units. The polymerization proceeds by multiple electrophilic substitutions that lead first to diphenylmethane and then to dihydroanthrylene units, followed by dihydrogenation.