Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Aromatic Polyethers from Tetraphenylated Five-Membered Heterocycle-Containing Diols and Activated Aromatic Dihalides

New aromatic polyethers having inherent viscosities of 0.23-0.73 dL/g were synthesized from combinations of three tetraphenylated five-membered heterocycle-containing diols, 2,5-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-diphenyl-furan, -pyrrole, and -thiophene, and three activated aromatic dihalides, 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone, bis(4-hydroxy-phenyl) sulfone, and 2,6-difluorobenzonitrile, by aromatic nucleophilic substitution poly-condensation. These aromatic polyethers, which have an amorphous nature, were soluble in a wide range of organic solvents. They had glass transition temperatures in the 182 to 250°C range with no weight loss below 400°C in either air or nitrogen atmospheres.