Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol.32, No.1, 57-63, 1994
Preparation and Characterization of Fluorine-Containing Aromatic Condensation Polymers .2. Preparation and Characterization of Fluorine-Containing Aromatic Polyformal and Copolyformals by Solution Polycondensation of 2,2-bis(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-Hexafluoropropane and or 2,2-bis-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)Propane with Dichloromethane
A series of fluorine-containing aromatic homopolyformal and copolyformals with a wide range of unit ratio were synthesized by the solution polycondensation of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (Bisphenol AF) and/or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (Bisphenol A) with dichloromethane, and the effect of the fluorine substitution on the preparation and properties of these polymers was investigated by comparing with those of Bisphenol-A-based homopolyformal without fluorine. Irrespective of the ratio of Bisphenol AF, high-molecular-weight, fluorine-containing polyformals with reduced viscosities of 1.4-5.3 dL/g were obtained in high yields by using dichloromethane as both comonomer and solvent, potassium hydroxide as a base, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone as a comedium at 75-degrees-C for 4 h. Their solubility increased markedly by the introduction of fluorine atom. Colorless, transparent, and tough films were cast from chloroform solution irrespective of fluorine content. These films had good mechanical properties comparable to that of Bisphenol-A-based homopolyformal. The contact angles by water were larger than 90-degrees, regardless of their fluorine contents, at 25-degrees-C. The glass transition temperature and thermal stability increased monotonically with increasing fluorine content.