Friedel-Crafts Polymers. 10. Polycondensation of 4-4'-Dichloromethlydiphenyl Ether with Phenol and Isomeric Cresols

Abstract

Friedel-Crafts polycondensations of 4,4'-dichloromethyldiphenyl ether (DDE) with phenol and isomeric cresols were carried out under different experimental conditions. The molecular weight of the polymer products was estimated by end group analysis, that of soluble products by VPO, and they were characterized by TGA and solution viscosity. DMF solutions of samples prepared from phenol and p-and m-cresols, but not those from o-cresol, showed abnormal viscosity behavior. However, the viscosity behavior of DMF-water solutions was normal. Abnormal viscisoty data of DMF solutions were correlated by an empirical relation. Curing of one fusible and soluble DDE-phenol polymer sample with hexamine was studied by measuring the percentage of cured material as a function of time at selected temperatures.