Synthesis of soluble poly(arylene ether)s with high glass transition temperatures from hindered biphenols

Abstract Poly(ether ketone)s and poly(ether sulfone)s have been synthesized from biphenols which contain four to six substituents (phenyl, methyl, chloro) on the biphenyl moiety. Polymers with glass transition temperatures approaching 300 °C are obtained from the most highly substituted biphenols. The polymers are amorphous and very soluble in solvents such as methylene chloride at room temperature