| abstract |
Novel difunctionalized cyclobutabenzene monomers of general formula (I), wherein Z can be hydrogens or a cyclobutane ring; and X and Y are carboxyl, amino, alcohol, isocyanate, acid halide, or bis-acyl fluoride groups. Methods of making the novel cyclobutabenzene monomers regioselectively introduce a functionality onto the 3 and 6 positions. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cyclobutabenzene derivative is 1,2-dihydrocyclobutabenzene-3,6-carboxylic acid. 1,2-Dihydrocyclobutabenzene-3-6-carboxylic acid, for example, can be used as a substitute for, or in conjuction with, terephthalic acid or its acid chloride analog to create high performance resins, such as poly(ether ether ketone ketone) or poly(paraphenylene diamine terephthalate) with the cyclobutabenzene moiety as part of the polymer backbone chain. The butane ring functionality on the cyclobutabenzene moiety can be easily opened to produce strong, covalent bond cross-linking between polymer chains. |