Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aromatic polyethers: Synthesis and characterization of new sulfonimide containing monomers and fluoropolymers

The synthesis and thermal cyclopolymerization of aryl trifluorovinyl ether monomers containing novel sulfonimide acid functionalities are described. The monomers are prepared starting from commercially available 4-bromophenol in five steps. These novel polymers explore a new versatile class of partially fluorinated polymers for potential use in fuel cells and other electrochemical applications.