SULFONATION OF POLYETHERETHERKETONE BY CHLOROSULFURIC ACID

Sulfonated thalido-p-phenylene-oxa-p-phenylene-oxy-phenylene) (PEEK-WC ) with various degrees of substitution was obtained by reaction of pol yetheretherketone with neat chlorosulfuric acid. Highly sulfonated PEE K-WC was freely soluble in cold water. By working under suitable react ion conditions, no degradation of the polymeric chain was detected. Th e modified PEEK-WC was able to form asymmetric membranes. The expected chlorosulfonated derivatives were never achieved. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.