Synthesis and characterization of novel organosoluble methyl substituted poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing sulfone linkage

Several new methyl substituted poly(aryl ether ketone)s containing sulfone linkage with inherent viscosities of 0.62-0.84 dL/g have been prepared from 4,4'-bis(2-methylphenoxy)diphenylsulfone and 4,4'-bis(3-methylphenoxy)diphenylsulfone with terephthaloyl chloride and isophthaloyl chloride by electrophilic Friedel-Crafts acylation in the presence of DMF with anhydrous AlCl3 as a catalyst in 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively. These polymers having weight-average molecular weight in the range of 71,000-49,000 are all amorphous and show high glass transition temperatures ranging from 167 degrees C to 191 degrees C, excellent thermal stability at temperatures over 400 degrees C in air or nitrogen, high char yields of 51-58% in nitrogen and good solubility in CHCl3 and polar solvents such as DMF, DMSO and NMP at room temperature.