Visible-Transparent Aromatic Polymers Obtained by the Polycondensation of a Bis(trifluorovinyl)benzene with Bisphenols

A polycondensation of 1,4-dimethoxy-2,5-bis­(trifluorovinyl)­benzene (1) with bisphenols in the presence of K2CO3 afforded aromatic polymers 3 consisting of both the (E)- and (Z)–Ar–CF=CF–O–Ar′ moieties in the main chains. The Mn and Mw values of polymer 3c prepared from bisphenol–AF were up to 6.62 × 104 and 1.29 × 105, respectively. The polymers 3 were transparent in the visible region (>400 nm) and exhibited good thermal stability (Td5% > 320 °C). Fluorescence spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the amorphous character of polymer 3c. The drop-cast film of 3c showed that the refractive indices and Abbe’s number were comparable to those for widely used polymers having optical applications, such as polycarbonate and polystyrene.