The synthesis and characterization of
siloxane-containing perfluorocyclobutane (PFCB)
aromatic polyethers, a new class of fluorosiloxane polymers possessing
a well-defined linear structure of
alternating disiloxanyl-p-phenylene
(cis/trans)-1,2-disubstituted perfluorocyclobutyl
ether linkages with
known fluoroolefin end groups, is described. The unexpected
formation of an aryl Grignard reagent from
4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]bromobenzene (2) allowed
for the high-yield synthesis of
4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]phenyldimethylsilane (3) which was dehydrogenatively
hydrolyzed in situ and condensed to
bis[1,3-[4-[(trifluorovinyl)oxy]phenyl]]-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane
monomer (4). Thermal cyclopolymerization
in
the bulk produces
poly(1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxanyl-p-phenylene-1-oxaperfluorocyclobutylene-2-oxa-p-phenylene) (5) as a clear, flexible, and thermally stable
elastomeric film. Copolymerization of 4 with
a
trifunctional PFCB monomer gives a toughened thermoset with good
thermal stability. Monomers and
polymers were characterized by 1H, 13C, and
19F NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. Number-average
molecular
weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography and, when
possible, quantitative 19F NMR
end group analysis. Synthesis, characterization, thermal analyses,
and current scope of PFCB polymer
chemistry are discussed.