Synthesis and characterization of novel polyarylates from 2,5‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3,4‐diphenylfuran and aromatic diacid chlorides

New tetraphenylated heterocyclic diol, 2,5‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐3,4‐diphenylfuran, was synthesized by the oxidative coupling of 4‐methoxydeoxybenzoin as a starting material, followed by simultaneous cyclodehydration and demethylation. Tetraphenylfuran‐containing polyarylates with inherent viscosities of 0.2–0.7 dL/g were prepared from various diacid chlorides by both solution polycondensation and phase transfer catalyzed two‐phase polymerization methods. All the polymers were easily soluble in dichloromethane, o‐chlorophenol, 1,4‐dioxane, pyridine, and N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and showed semicrystalline patterns as evidenced by the X‐ray diffraction studies. These polyarylates have glass transition temperatures in the range of 222–236°C and 10% weight loss was observed above 430°C in both air and nitrogen.