Polymerization of [o‐n‐(perfluorohexyl)phenyl]acetylene and polymer properties

Abstract

AbstractSynthesis, properties, and membrane‐separation functions of a novel fluorine‐containing poly(phenylacetylene) were examined. The monomer used was [o‐n‐(perfluorohexyl)phe‐nyl]acetylene, which has a rigid rod‐like ortho‐substituent. Polymers, whose intrinsic vis‐cosities ([η]) were ca. 0.4–2.2 dL/g, were obtained in high yields with various W and Mo catalysts. The MoCl5–Ph3Sb catalyst achieved the highest [η] of 2.25 dL/g corresponding to an Mw over one million. The polymer was a brown solid soluble only in F ‐containing solvents such as m‐(CF3)2C6H4. The oxygen permeability coefficient of the polymer mem‐brane was 90 barrers, which is the second highest among those of ortho‐substituted poly(phenylacetylenes). In the pervaporation of an ethanol–water mixture, the poly‐mer membrane showed ethanol permselectivity [α(EtOH/H2O) = 1.7]. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.