Perfluorocyclobutane Aromatic Polyethers. Synthesis and Characterization of New Siloxane-Containing Fluoropolymers

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of siloxane-containing perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB) aromatic polyethers, a new class of fluorosiloxane polymers possessing a well-defined linear structure of alternating disiloxanyl-p-phenylene (cis/trans)-1,2-disubstituted perfluorocyclobutyl ether linkages with known fluoroolefin end groups, is described. The unexpected formation of an aryl Grignard reagent from 4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]bromobenzene (2) allowed for the high-yield synthesis of 4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]phenyldimethylsilane (3) which was dehydrogenatively hydrolyzed in situ and condensed to bis[1,3-[4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]phenyl]]-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane monomer (4). Thermal cyclopolymerization in the bulk produces poly(1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxanyl-p-phenylene-1-oxaperfluorocyclobutylene-2-oxa-p-phenylene) (5) as a clear, flexible, and thermally stable elastomeric film. Copolymerization of 4 with a trifunctional PFCB monomer gives a toughened thermoset with good thermal stability. Monomers and polymers were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 19F NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Number-average molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography and, when possible, quantitative 19F NMR end group analysis. Synthesis, characterization, thermal analyses, and current scope of PFCB polymer chemistry are discussed.