New polymer synthesis. IX. Synthesis of poly(ether sulfone)s from silylated diphenols or hydroxybenzoic acids

The condensation polymerizations of bis(4‐flurophenyl) sulfone with the bistrimethylsilyl derivates of bisphenol‐A, 4,4′‐dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, 1,5′‐dihydroxynaphthalene, 3‐hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid were investigated. These polycondensations were only successful when potassium or cesium fluoride was used as catalyst. The yields were in the range of 91–98% and the number molecular weights in the range of 2,500–17,500 depending on the reaction conditions. Viscosity and GPC measurements were conducted and glass transitions were determined. Crystallization was never observed.