Synthesis of organosoluble aromatic poly(ether ketone)s with short perfluoroalkyl groups in the side chains

Three types of 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene-based diols reacted with 4,4 '-difluorobenzophenone via nucleophilic substitution polymerization to afford the corresponding aromatic poly(ether ketone)s. The resulting polyketones have excellent solubility in typical organic solvents, such as THF, CHCl3, and NMP. They also have good thermal stability above 400 degrees C (Td10). In particular, the surface tension of the polyketone, which has four C4F9 groups per repeating unit, is 18.7 mN/m, which is equal to that of PTFE. The introduction of propylene linkers and many C4F9 groups per repeating unit was effective at improving water/oil repellency.