A novel class of perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB)-containing reactive polymer with adjustable phenolic hydroxyl

contents (PFCB-OH-xx) has been developed. A serial of PFCB-OH-xx polymers with high molecular

weights (Mw > 100,000) and narrow molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn < 1.15), were facilely prepared

from 2-methoxy-1,4-bis(trifluorovinyloxy)phenyl via thermal cyclopolymerization and demethylation

reactions. The monomer and polymers were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectra. PFCB-OH-xx

polymers exhibit good thermal stability and excellent solubility in common organic solvents. Initial

investigation of the use of PFCB-OH-xx polymers as precursors in post-functionalization of PFCB aryl

ether polymers, was successfully accomplished by a nucleophilic ring-opening reaction between the

phenolic hydroxyl groups and 1,3-propanesultone. The degree of functionalization can be readily

controlled by adjusting the hydroxyl contents of PFCB-OH-xx polymers. This work demonstrates that the

designed PFCB-OX-xx polymers could be a class of promising precursor for development of new functional

PFCB aryl ether polymers