Synthesis and properties of vinyl-terminated and silicon-containing polysulfones and polyketones

4-Fluorophenylsulfonylphenyl-terminated polysulfone and 4-fluorobenzoylphenyl ketone were prepared with bisphenol A and an excess of bis-(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone or 4,4 ' -difluorobenzophenone, respectively, at 160 degreesC using potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethylacetamide. The resulting polymers were reacted with 4-hydroxystyrene to synthesize vinyl-terminated polysulfones and ketones. The silicon-containing polysulfones and ketones were prepared from the vinyl-terminated polymer precursor and various H-functional silanes or siloxanes. The synthesis of silicon-containing polymers was achieved by hydrosilation with a rhodium catalyst. It was shown that the hydrosilation reaction proceeds with 55:45 chemoselectivity. The resulting polymers were investigated by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, DSC, and thermogravimetric analysis. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.