Synthesis of thermally crosslinkable fluorine-containing poly(arylene ether ketone)s - II. Propargyl ether terminated poly(arylene ether ketone)s

Novel thermally crosslinkable fluorine-containing poly(arylene ether ketone)s comprised of 2,3,5, 6-tetrafluoro-1,4-phenylene moiety were synthesized by the termination of polymer chain ends with propargyl ether groups in order to improve solvent resistance. Crosslinking reaction occurred over 250°C through the formation of both chromen ring and polyene structure. This structure change brought about not only the outstanding solvent resistance but also the increase in glass transition temperature (T_g). The cured films also exhibited excellent thermal stability, transparency and hydrophobicity derived from fluorine atoms.