Synthesis and characterization of New aromatic polyesters and a polyether derived from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethanone

New polyarylates and aromatic polyethers were synthesized from 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethylene, and aromatic dicarboxylic acid chlorides and aromatic dihalides, respectively. The polyarylates having inherent viscosities of 0.28–1.05 dL/g were synthesized by either the two-phase method or the high-temperature solution method. All the polymers were easily soluble in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-dimethylformamide, pyridine, m-cresol, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane. They have glass transition temperatures in the range of 217–250°C and showed no weight loss below 315°C in both air and nitrogen atmospheres. Aromatic polyethers with inherent viscosities of 0.85–1.21 dL/g were obtained by the polycondensation of 1,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,2-diphenylethylene and aromatic difluorides in the presence of potassium carbonate. These polymers having glass transion temperatures of 193–220°C were also soluble in the aforementioned solvents and stable up to around 350deg;C in both atmospheres. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.