Synthesis and characterization of new fluorine-containing polyethers

A highly fluorinated monomer, 1,3-bis(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-pentafluorophenylmethoxy-2-propyl)benzene (12F-FBE), is obtained by reaction of the sodium salt of 1,3-bis(1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-hydroxy-2-propyl)benzene with pentafluorobenzyl bromide. 12F-FBE reacts with diphenols to give soluble, hydrophobic, low dielectric (2.30–2.43 at 10 GHz) polyethers. Thermal stability as measured by TGA (10 wt% loss) is moderate and ranges from 445 to 464 °C in air. Glass transition temperatures are between 89 and 110 °C.