Poly(arylene ether)s from new biphenols containing imidoarylene and dicyanoarylene moieties

Novel poly(arylene ether)s were synthesized from new biphenol monomers 14-1 6(1) containing imido- or dicyanoarylene groups. The syntheses of these pol ymers were carried out in tetramethylene sulfone in the presence of anhydro us K2CO3, by a nucleophilic substitution condensation between the biphenol and activated difluoro compounds to give high molecular weight polymers. Al l the polymers have high T-g's and good thermal stability as determined fro m DSC and TGA analysis. Inherent viscosities of these polymers are in the r ange of 0.33-0.63 dL/g. They are amorphous and readily soluble in NMP, DMF, and DMSO. The glass-transition temperatures of the polymers range from 248 -295 degrees C. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.