Synthesis and characterization of deuterated poly(arylene ether sulfones)

Abstract

Selectively deuterated poly(arylene ether sulfones) were prepared for neutron scattering studies and for deuterium NMR investigations. The availability of these model macromolecules permits molecular‐level identification of the motions responsible for the low temperature relaxations that have been observed in the dynamic mechanical spectra of these engineering polymers. Three labeled sites on the appropriate monomers (bisphenol‐A and 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone) were prepared from deuterated intermediates and characterized via chromatographic, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis. The deuterium exhcange between methyl and aromatic sites that occurred during synthesis was quantified. These labeled monomers were mixed with hydrogenous monomers to synthesize high molecular weight, selectively deuterated poly(arylene ether sulfones). A synthetic technique involving N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone/potassium carbonate was employed to afford high molecular weight polymers. The polymers were characterized by FT‐IR, proton, carbon, and deuterium NMR, intrinsic viscosities, and thermal analysis. Molecular weights of the labeled polymers were similar to unlabeled systems. Copyright © 1987 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.