Synthesis and characterization of new hyperbranched poly(ether ketones) with various number of phenylene units

A new series of AB₂ type monomers with aromatic thio and various number of phenylene units were prepared. Three series of AB₂ type monomers, 4-thio-3′,5′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)biphenyl 1, 4-thio-3′′,5′′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)-p-terphenyl 2 and 4-thio-3′′′,5′′′-bis(4-fluorobenzal)-p-quarterphenyl 3 were synthesized in a stepwise manner starting from 3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phenol 4 by repeating a series of conversions of the hydroxy group to the triflate, cross-coupling reaction of the triflate with (p-methoxythiophenyl)boronic acid, reduction of carbonyl groups followed by conversion of methylthio to thio group. Three kinds of hyperbranched poly(ether ketones) were prepared by the polymerization of the these three AB₂ type monomers. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectrometry.