SYNTHESIS AND SULFONATION OF POLY(PHENYLENE ETHER ETHER SULFONE)S CONTAINING METHYLATED HYDROQUINONE RESIDUES

Methylated polyarylethersulfones have been prepared by conventional re actions of 4-chlorophenyl sulfone with methylhydroquinone, 2,3-dimethy lhydroquinone, trimethylhydroquinone, durohydroquinone and mixtures of hydroquinone with durohydroquinone, in the presence of potassium carb onate. Polymer compositions were checked by H-1 n.m.r. spectroscopy. T he effects of steric hindrance on the reactions are considered and gla ss transition temperatures for the polymers recorded. Several of the c opolymers were sulfonated by dissolving them in sulfuric acid and the products analysed by H-1 n.m.r. after conversion to their tetramethyla mmonium salts. The bis-phenol residues in the homopolymers prepared us ing methylhydroquinone or its dimethyl analogue were monosulfonated co mpletely, but with the homopolymer from trimethylhydroquinone this sul fonation was not complete and it appears that sulfonation of phenylene ether sulfone residues may also occur. Monosulfonation of copolymers prepared using mixtures of hydroquinone and durohydroquinone occurred as expected at the hydroquinone residues, but again some sulfonation o f phenylene ether sulfone residues occurs and there may be other compl ications. (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.