Synthesis of polymer intermediates containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene group via functionalization of 2,2‐diphenylhexafluoropropane

The title compound was synthesized by hydrogenolysis of its precursor 2,2‐bis(4‐trifluoromethanesulfonatophenyl)hexafluoropropane (2) in the presence of a base. 2,2‐Diphenylhexafluoropropane (6) can be appropriately functionalized at the 3,3′‐positions to give the diamino (7), dibromo (11), dicarboxaldehydo (13), 3‐ethynyl‐3′‐carboxaldehydo (14) derivatives which are important monomers in the synthesis of various high‐temperatures resistant polymers and oligomers containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) group. 2,2‐Bis(4‐triflatophenyl)hexafluoropropane (2) undergoes quantitative dinitration at the 3,3′‐positions to yield 2,2‐bis(3‐nitro‐4‐triflatophenyl)hexafluoropropane (3) which ultimately leads to the 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐bis(arylamino) (5) and 3,3′‐diamino‐4,4′‐dihydroxy (8) derivatives which are specifically designed for phenylbenzimidazole, benzimidazoquinazoline, and benzoxazole polymers and oligomers.