Novel macrocyclic precursors of poly{aryl ether ketone (sulfone)} containing hexafluoroisopropylidene units: Synthesis, characterization, and polymerization

Cyclic oligomers containing hexafluoroiso-propylidene(HFIP) units were prep ared in excellent yields by a nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction o f 4,4(7)- (hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphenol with difluoro-monomers in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate under pseudo high dilution condi tions. A combination of GPC, MALDI-TOF MS and NMR analysis confirmed the st ructure of the cyclic oligomers. All macrocyclic oligomers are crystalline and undergo facile melt polymerization to give high molecular weight fluori nated polyethers.