Novel high molecular weight aromatic fluorinated polymers from one-pot, metal-free step polymerizations

A novel series of linear, high-molecular-weight polymers and copolymers was synthesized by one-pot, metal-free superacid-catalyzed reaction of trifluoromethylalkyl (1a-1c) and trifluoromethylaryl (1d-1h) ketones with the linear, nonactivated, multiring aromatic hydrocarbons biphenyl (A), p-terphenyl (B), and p-quaterphenyl (C).The polymerizations were performed at room temperature in the Brønsted superacid trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (CF3SO3H, TFSA) and in a mixture of TFSA with methylene chloride. Polymerizations of trifluoromethyl ketones (1c, 1f-1h) bearing functional groups gave polymers with reactive lateral groups such as bromomethyl, 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl-, 3-sulfophenyl-, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl. The polymers obtained were soluble in most common organic solvents and flexible transparent films could be cast from the solutions. 1H and 13C NMR analyses of the polymers synthesized revealed their linear structure with para-substitution in the phenylene fragments of the main chain. The molecular weights (Mw) of the polymers based on trifluoromethylalkyl ketones and aromatic are very high and reach 1 000 000, while the molecular weights of the polymers based on trifluoromethylaryl ketones and aromatic ranged from 30 000 to 300 000 g/mol. The polydispersity of the polymers is generally less than 2. The polymers also possess high thermostability. Mechanistic aspects of polymerization mechanism have been discussed, and a new approach for monomer design has been proposed. © 2013 American Chemical Society.Financial support from CONACYT Mexico (Grant 151842) and from DGAPA-UNAM (PAPIIT IN 104211)Peer Reviewe