Crosslinkable fully aromatic poly(aryl ether ketone)s bearing macrocycle of aryl ether ketone

A novel bisphenol monomer, (3-methoxy)phenylhydroquinone, was synthesized via a three-step synthetic procedure. The cyclization of the bisphenol monomer and 4,4-difluorobenzophenone was carried out under pseudo high dilution condition. Two types of fully aromatic poly(aryl ether ketone)s were prepared by copolymerization of macrocycle of aryl ether ketone (MACEK) containing hydroxyphenyl, 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphenol (HFBPA), and 4,4-difluorobenzophenone. The copolymers have high molecular mass, good solubility and high glass transition temperatures. The copolymers are crosslinkable in the presence of basic initiator and the glass transition temperatures of the copolymers increased greatly after the curing. These cured copolymers exhibit excellent thermal stability, and the 5% weight loss temperatures are around 500 °C in nitrogen.