Polyalkylated aromatic monomers and polymers. Part 2—Some poly(ether ketone)s derived from diaroyldurenes

Abstract

Attempts to produce Polymers by reaction of bis(p-fluorobenzoyl)durene, in diphenyl sulfone at 260–350 °C, with a range of bisphenols {quinol(hydroquinone), bisphenol σ(4,4′-sulfonyldiphenol), 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone, 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl, bisphenol A(4,4′-isopropylidenediphenol) and 4,4′-thiodiphenol [bis(p-hydroxyphenyl) sulfide]} in the presence of sodium and/or potassium carbonate, are described. Only the first three bisphenols have proved satisfactory. The thermal and mechanical properties of the Polymers produced have been compared with those of some unmethylated analogues derived from bis(p-fluorobenzoyl)benzene, and with those of ‘Victrex’ poly(ether ether ketone)(PEEK) and poly(ether sulfone)(PES); the best of the durene-derived Polymers, while showing good mechanical strength and toughness, are less thermally stable in air than the unmethylated equivalents or the commercial materials.