Synthesis of Telechelic Poly(ether sulfone) Oligomers by Chain-Growth Condensation Polymerization

Abstract

The synthesis of telechelic poly(ether sulfone)s with methoxy end groups is reported. Molecular weights ranging from 1600 to 2800 g mol −1 and polydispersities of 1.1–1.2 are synthesized by chain-growth condensation polymerization. The initiator is chosen by using semiempirical calculations and 19 F NMR spectroscopy measurements. The polymers are characterized by NMR spectroscopy and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of fl ight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS), and are terminated by a methoxy group at one end and a fl uorine at the other, and up to approximately 20% polymer of similar mass but slightly higher polydispersity, methoxy terminated at both ends, is present, along with less than 5% of polymer terminated at both ends by fl uorine atoms. These do not need to be separated, and can be converted to methoxy-ending telechelic blocks, yielding polyvalent, reactive rigid building blocks for copolymer synthesis.