Synthesis and characterization of poly(methylsiloxane)s containing alkyl or fluoroalkyl side groups

Abstract

A series of poly(methylsiloxane)s containing alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, fluoroalkylthio, fluoroalkylsulfonyl side groups were synthesized by polymer analogous reaction starting from poly(methylhydrosiloxane) with the corresponding olefins. The chemical and physical properties of these polymers were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffraction, respectively. We studied the influence of the nature of the linkage group, of the side chain length, and of the type of side groups on the ordered structures of the polymers. For the polymers with thioether linkage, side chain crystalline properties were observed, whereas the sulfone linkage polymers showed smectic liquid crystalline phases. The mesomorphic phases of these polymers possibly arised from the biphilic character of the structures.