SYNTHESIS OF NEW FLUOROPOLYMERS - TAILORING MACROMOLECULAR PROPERTIESWITH FLUORINATED SUBSTITUENTS

The challenges and opportunities in the preparation of new fluoropolym ers are illustrated by the synthesis of fluorinated poly(ether sulfone s), polyimides, and polyethers. Synthetic methods used for the prepara tion of new fluorinated monomers and polymers include anion-radical su bstitutions of perfluoroalkyl diiodides, nucleophilic additions to flu orinated olefins, perfluoroalkylsulfonyl-mediated nucleophilic substit utions, and direct fluorinations with elemental fluorine. Properly pla ced fluorinated substituents can have significant effects on the diele ctric properties, thermal stability, moisture absorption, permeability , phase transitions, and reactivity of the resulting polymers. In addi tion, fluorinated groups can enhance nonlinear optical effects and pro vide a method for chromophore alignment. The special behavior of parti ally fluorinated substituent groups offers unique tools for tailoring macromolecular properties.