Visible-Transparent Aromatic Polymers Obtained by the Polycondensation of a Bis(trifluorovinyl)benzene with Bisphenols

A polycondensation of 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis(trifluorovinyl)benzene (1) with bisphenols in the presence of K2CO3 afforded aromatic polymers 3 consisting of both the (E)- and (Z)-Ar-CF=CF-O-Ar' moieties in the main chains. The M-n and M-w values of polymer 3c prepared from bisphenol-AF were up to 6.62 x 10(4) and 1.29 X 10(5), respectively. The polymers 3 were transparent in the visible region (>400 nm) and exhibited good thermal stability (T-d5% > 320 degrees C). Fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the amorphous character of polymer 3c. The drop-cast film of 3c showed that the refractive indices and Abbe's number were comparable to those for widely used polymers having optical applications, such as polycarbonate and polystyrene.