Abstract: | A series of polyketones containing thiophene links was synthesized by the Friedel-Crafts polymerization of these dithienylalkanes with aromatic diacid chlorides or dicarbonyl chlorides comprising thiophene links with diphenyl compounds. The resulting polymers had inherent viscosities in the range of 0.11–0.27 dL/g and showed poor solubilities to common organic solvents except strong acids. These thiophene-based polyketones exhibited fairly good thermal stabilities. The TGA data revealed 5% weight losses at 375–450°C and residual weights at 500°C were 43–79% under nitorgen. It was found that the thermal stabilities of these polymers were superior to those of polymides or polysulfonamides containing thiophene links and almost comparable to common aromatic polyketones |