DEVELOPMENT OF POLYSULFONE AND OTHER POLYARYLETHERS.

Abstract

Nucleophilic displacement chemistry involving aromatic dihalides and bisphenols, represented the first means by which high molecular weight aromatic polyethers could be produced. This technology has since been the basis for all commercial processes developed for this family of Engineering Polymers. The preparative method involves the nucleophilic polycondensation of a bisphenol salt with an activated aromatic dihalide in an aprotic solvent. Further investigations have shown that the method has a very wide scope and that it can be applied to the preparation of a host of aromatic poly (sulfone ethers), poly (ketone ethers) and other related polyethers. These materials have shown excellent and unique properties as high performance plastics. These include excellent toughness and good high temperature and hydrolytic resistance and excellent electrical properties. A review of the development and preparation of polysulfones and other polyarylethers and their properties is presented in this paper.