Synthesis and characterization of fluorine-containing aromatic polyethers from tetrafluoroisophthalonitrile and bisphenols

New aromatic polyethers having inherent viscosities of 0.43–0.91 dL/g were synthesized by the phase-transfer catalyzed polycondensation of tetrafluoroisophthalonitrile with various hisphenols in a nitrobenzene-water system. All the polyethers were amorphous and soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and nitrobenzene. They were cast into transparent and flexible films from the solutions. These polymers had glass transition temperatures around 130°C and dia not lose weight below 400°C in either air or nitrogen.