Synthesis and characterization of new semifluorinated linear and hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s through B2 + A2 and AB2 approaches

A new phosphorus containing trifluoromethyl-activated bisfluoro B-2 monomer has been synthesized successfully by coupling reaction of 4-methoxyphenylphosphonic dichloride and the Grignard salt of 5-bromo-2-fluorobenzotrifluoride. This monomer was converted to linear poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s by nucleophilic displacement of the fluorine atom on the benzene ring with several diphenols. The B-2 monomer was further demethylated to form an AB(2) monomer which on self condensation yielded hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide) with identical phosphorous containing moiety. The products obtained exhibit weight-average molecular weights as high as 600,000 g mol(-1) in SEC. These linear and hyperbranched poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s showed thermal stability as high as 516 degrees C for 10% weight loss in TGA in nitrogen and showed glass transition temperatures up to 253 degrees C in DSC. All the polymers were soluble in a wide range of organic solvents, e.g., CHCl3, THF, NMP and DMF, however, the hb sample showed a significant lower solution viscosity compared to linear samples of similar molar mass. Transparent thin films of linear poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s casted from dichloromethane exhibited tensile strengths up to 50 MPa, a modulus of elasticity up to 0.95 GPa and elongation at break up to 36% depending on their exact repeating unit structures. No free standing films could be prepared from the hb analogue due to the missing entanglements, but stable thin polymer films on silicon wafers with high hydrophobicity were formed which showed water contact angles as high as 91 degrees. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.