Synthesis and characterization of new hyperbranched poly(ether ketones) with various number of phenylene units

A new series of AB2 type monomers with aromatic thio and various number of phenylene units were prepared. Three series of AB2 type monomers, 4-thio-3′,5′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)biphenyl 1, 4-thio-3′′,5′′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)-p-terphenyl 2 and 4-thio-3′′′,5′′′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)-p-quarterphenyl 3 were synthesized in a stepwise manner starting from 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenol 4 by repeating a series of conversions of the hydroxy group to the triflate, cross-coupling reaction of the triflate with (p-methoxythiophenyl)boronic acid, reduction of carbonyl groups followed by conversion of methylthio to thio group. Three kinds of hyperbranched poly(ether ketones) were prepared by the polymerization of the these three AB2 type monomers. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, 1H and 13C NMR spectrometry.