PERFLUOROCYCLOBUTANE AROMATIC ETHER POLYMERS

Novel polymers containing alternating perfluorocyclobutane and aromatic ether subunits are prepared from aryl poly(trifluorovinyl ether) monomers via the thermal [2pi + 2pi] dimerization of the trifluorovinyl ether functionality. A model study is described, which probes the nature of the perfluorocyclobutane rings formed during the polymerization reaction. The bifunctional monomer 4,4'-bis(trifluorovinylox)biphenyl and the trifunctional monomer 1,1,1-tris(4-trifluorovinyloxyphenyl)ethane are prepared and polymerized to provide thermoplastic and thermoset polymers, respectively. Characterization of the mechanical and dielectric properties of these new polymers is presented. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.