Synthesis of New Poly(biphenylene oxide) with Pendent Trifluoromethyl Group

A new AB type of monomer 4′-fluoro-3,5-dimethyl-3′-trifluoromethyl-biphenyl-4-ol has been synthesized that leads to a new poly(arylene ether) by self polycondensation reaction. The monomer and the polymer have been well characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. Both FT-IR and NMR spectra of the polymers did not show any terminal phenoxy group indicating high conversion. The polymer showed glass transition at 278°C and very good thermal stability in synthetic air. GPC results indicate high molar mass development; Mw = 53200 and MWD = 2.29.