Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moieties for proton exchange membrane

A series of poly(arylene ether)s containing triphenylmethane moiety were synthesized by the nucleophilic displacement of aromatic dihalides with bisphenols in an aprotic solvent in the presence of excess potassium carbonate. High molecular weight and fibrous polymers in white color can be readily afforded in short reaction time. The structures of the synthesized monomers and polymers were investigated by 1H NMR and MS techniques. The sulfonation position of the synthesized polymer can be easily controlled and the water-up-take can be conveniently tailored by changing the amount of sulfonation agent. This sulfonated polymer 4b is soluble in polar organic solvents, such as NMP, DMAc, DMSO, DMF, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The sulfonated polymers can be potentially used as the proton-exchange membranes for fuel-cells.