4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone

4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone
Identifiers
CAS number 80-07-9
ChemSpider 6373 Y
Jmol-3D images Image 1
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Properties
Molecular formula C12H8Cl2O2S
Molar mass 287.16 g/mol
Appearance White solid
Melting point

143 °C, 416 K, 289 °F

Boiling point

250 °C, 523 K, 482 °F

Solubility in water Insoluble
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
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Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl sulfone, abbreviated as DCDPS, is an organic sulfone with the formula (ClC6H4)2SO2. It is most commonly used as a precursor to polymers that are rigid and temperature resistant such as Victrex or Udel. The compound is readily available through chemical suppliers in its powdered form.

Synthesis

DCDPS can be synthesized by treating chlorobenzene with sulfuric acid at a temperature of 200-250 °C. The reaction can be done in the presence of boric acid or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, which increase the yield DCDPS by reducing the formation of the 2,4 and 3,4 isomers. The reaction goes to completion in approximately 10 hours and produces a high yield of 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone.

Uses

DCDPS is used as a starting material in the polymerization of compounds such as Udel, Victrex, and Radel R. The polymerization occurs through a nucleophilic substitution reaction of DCDPS with difunctional nucleophiles. With bisphenol A in dimethyl sulfoxide, DCDPS forms a material called Udel. Udel is a high performance amorphous sulfone polymer that can molded into a variety of different shapes. It is both rigid and temperature resistant, and has applications in everything from plumbing pipes, to printer cartridges, to automobile fuses. DCDPS also reacts with bisphenol S to form Victrex. Like Udel, Victrex is a rigid and thermally resistant material with numerous applications.

The general polymerization reaction:

Some of the products include:

References