Poly(Arylene Ether)s with Pendant Ethynyl Groups

Abstract

Three novel bisphenols containing pendant ethynyl, hexynyl, and phenylethynyl groups were synthesized and used to prepare arylene ether polymers and copolymers. When heated to 250–350°C, the ethynyl groups react. After curing, the homopolymers were brittle due to the high crosslink density. Copolymers prepared using either 10 or 30 mol% of the ethynyl-containing bisphenol and either 90 or 70 mol% of the bisphenol with no ethynyl groups were relatively tough and formed creasible films. After a thermal cure, the copolymers became insoluble and exhibited high T _gs and good thin film tensile properties.