Suzuki polycondensation and post-polymerization modification toward electro-optic perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers: Synthesis and characterization

Abstract

Abstract Suzuki polycondensation (SPC) as an alternative strategy has been utilized for the first time to readily yield functional perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers, which are difficult to obtain via the traditional [2+2] thermal cyclopolymerization strategy. Using two reactive PFCB aryl ether molecules as monomers, the biphenyl PFCB aryl ether polymer without any functionality was first prepared and exhibited good thermal stability, up to 450 °C at 8% weight loss (N2). By choosing appropriate functional monomers, aldehyde-functionalized PFCB aryl ether polymer precursor was also successfully prepared. Post-polymerization modification of this polymer precursor via Knoevenagel condensation yielded three distinct PFCB aryl ether polymers containing thermally stable triarylamine-based electro-optic chromophores.