Ionic liquids as green reaction media for synthesis of poly(aryl ether ketone)s

Poly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEKs) were successfully synthesized via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (SNAR) mechanism, using ionic liquids as green reaction media. The influence of various reaction parameters including monomer concentration, dehydration time, polymerization temperature and duration, IL's cations and anions nature, upon PAEKs molecular weight was investigated. In addition, the peculiarities of hydrogen-bonding ability of ILs were investigated. The interaction of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane (bisphenol A) with ILs has a strong influence on PAEKs synthesis. Various moderate molecular weight PAEKs have been obtained in high yields with molecular weights ranging from 10000 to 18000g mol-1.