US20080090972A1

US20080090972A1 - Oligomers and Polymers Containing Sulfinate Groups, and Methods for Producing the Same

Info

Publication number: US20080090972A1
Application number: US11/869,530
Authority: US
Inventors: Jochen Kerres; Thomas Haring
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-02-28
Filing date: 2007-10-09
Publication date: 2008-04-17
Also published as: EP1587859A1; DE10390721D2; CN1649943B; US20050165172A1; US7288599B2; WO2003072641A1; CN1649943A; AU2003229264A1

Abstract

The invention relates to polymers obtained by S-alkylation of sulfinated polymers with alkylation agents, and AB-cross-linked polymers obtained by reacting polymers containing alkylation groups with low-molecular sulfinates, under S-alkylation, or AB-cross-linked polymers obtained by S-alkylation of sulfinated polymers with polymers containing alkylation groups.

Description

SUMMARY

The invention relates to polymers obtained by S-alkylation of sulfinated polymers with alkylation agents, and AB-cross-linked polymers obtained by reacting polymers containing alkylation groups with low-molecular sulfinates, under S-alkylation, or AB-cross-linked polymers obtained by S-alkylation of sulfinated polymers with polymers containing alkylation groups, whereby sulfinated polymers are reacted with alkylation agents (I) wherein R represents alkyl, aryl, or any organic radicals;

- M represents alkali ions or alkaline-earth ions or any monovalent or bivalent metal cation or ammonium cation; ALK represents any alkylation group or polymer; Poly represents any polymer main chain; Hal represents F, Cl, Br or Iodine; x represents a number between 2 and 20; X represents electron-attracting groups and
- n represents the number of repeat units of the base polymer; and whereby polymers containing alkylation groups are reacted with sulfinated compounds.

The invention also relates to the polymers obtained by reacting sulfinated polymers with mixtures of various monofunctional alkylation agents. Furthermore, the invention relates to polymers obtained by reacting sulfinated polymers with mixtures of monofunctional and difunctional or oligofunctional alkylation reagents (cross-linking agents), in addition to membranes and other moulded bodies. Disclosed are also the polymers obtained by reacting polymers containing alkylation groups with low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinates, whereby mixtures of various sulfinates can also be used.
Finally, the invention relates to methods for producing said sulfinate-alkylated polymers, and for producing membranes and other moulded bodies from said sulfinate-alkylated polymers.

STATE-OF-THE-ART

It is known from the literature, that low-molecular sulfinates can be S- or O-alkylated¹. Thus the alkylation of sulfinates with methyl iodide with formation of a methyl sulfone has been described. It is known, that polymers containing sulfinate groups can be cross-linked using dihalogen or oligohalogen alkanes by sulfinate-S-alkylation^2,3. It is also known, that sulfinate groups can be alkylated via nucleophilic aromatic substitution⁴. Furthermore it is known, that sulfinate ions are able to do a Michael-typ-addition on olefines carrying electron-attracting groups⁵.
¹T. Okuyama, Sulfinate ions as nucleophiles, in “The Chemistry of Sulphinic Acids, Esters and their Derivatives (Ed. S. Patai), John Wiley and Sons, 1990, S. 639-664

²J. Kerres, W. Zhang, W. Cui, J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem. 36, 1441-1448 (1998)

³Jochen Kerres, Wei Cui, Martin Junginger, J. Memb. Sci. 139, 227-241 (1998)

⁴A. Ulman, E. Urankar, J. Org. Chem. 54, 4691-4692 (1989)

⁵S. Oae, N. Kunieda, in Organic Chemistry of Sulfur (Ed. S. Oae), Plenum, New York, 1977, S. 625-637
The introduction of functional groups according to the invention (especially anion exchange groups, cation exchange groups as well as their non-ionic precursors without cross-linking reactions) in polymeric sulfinates via sulfinate alkylation with halogen compounds or with sultones or other electrophilic groups, which react with sulfinate groups, e.g. olefines with electron-attracting groups, using methods according to the invention has not been described so far to our knowledge in the literature.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Surprisingly it has been found, that sulfinated polymers can be modified versatile via sulfinate-S-alkylation. By means of this reaction functional groups can be introduced in polymers, which can not be introduced by other methods. A selection of the newly-discovered reactions is shown in FIG. 1.
The first set concerns the reaction of sultones with polymeric sulfinates, as shown e.g. in FIG. 2. However in principle there is no limitation for the selection of the sultones. Any sultone can be used. The small ring sultones (4- and 5-rings) are more reactive due to their high ringtension than the big ring-sultones (6-rings and bigger). The highest reactivities are shown by the perfluorinated small-ring sultones such as for the perfluorinated sultone in FIG. 2. Also lactames, lactones and sultames as well as mixed compounds from these components can be reacted with sulfinates.
The second set of reactions is the surprisingly possible alkylation of polymeric sulfinates with halogen aryl-, halogen alkyl- and halogen benzyl-ammonium- and phosphonium salts, as shown e.g. in FIG. 3.
There is in principle no limitation to the selection of the respective ammonium- or phosphonium salt, however preferred are such ammonium- or phosphonium salts, which carry either long alkyl (longer than propyl)- or phenyl groups on the ammonium or phosphonium group, because such salts are better soluble in these organic solvents, in which also the polymeric sulfinates are soluble (dipolar-aprotic solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide DMF, N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide DMAc, N,N-dimethylpyrrolidinone NMP, dimethylsulfoxide DMSO, sulfolane). To further improve the compatibility of the solutions of sulfinated polymers with the ammonium-/phosphonium salts crown ethers can be added to the polymer solution such as 18-crown-6,15-crown-5 oder 12-crown-4, which coordinate the cation of the sulfinate group. For the halogen leaving group of halogen alkyl or benzyl compounds the following order of reactivity for the alkylation of the sulfinate group has been observed: I>>Br>Cl>>F. For the halogen leaving group of halogen aryl compounds the following order of reactivity for the alkylation of the sulfinate group has been observed: F>>Cl>Br>I.
Surprisingly, a further group of halogen compounds, which react with polymeric sulfinates, are halogenated primary, secondary and tertiary aliphatic, aromatic and/or benzylic amines as well as halogen benzyl amines and their hydrohalogenides, some of these are shown in FIG. 4. Hereby the amino group can be protected with an amino protection group. Especially surprising is also the introduction of imidazole groups according to the invention possible, as shown in FIG. 4 a and FIG. 4 b. FIG. 4 a shows the reaction of fluorinated aryl imidazole derivatives with polymeric sulfinates, whereas in FIG. 4 b is shown the reaction of halogen alkyl imidazoles with polymeric sulfinates.
A fourth set of reactions concerns the surprisingly possible S-alkylation of sulfinates with halogen alkyl- or halogen aryl- or halogen benzyl-sulfonates, phosphonates, carboxylates, boronates or their non-ionic precursors, some of which are shown in FIG. 5 a.
Hereby are preferred the non-ionic precursors of sulfonates, phosphonates and carboxylates (acid halides, acid esters, acid amides, acid imides, acid anhydrides), because they are better soluble in the organic solvents which are used to dissolve the polymeric sulfinates, and also do not show undesirable interactions with sulfinate groups (such as e.g. formation of ion pairs). If necessary, crown ethers can be added to the sulfinated polymer solutions and the halogen aryl-, halogen alkyl- or halogen benzyl carboxylates, halogen aryl-, halogen alkyl- or halogen benzyl phosphonates or halogen aryl-, halogen alkyl- or halogen benzyl sulfonates or halogen aryl-, halogen alkyl- or halogen benzyl boronates, to complex the cations of the salts.
As already mentioned, amongst the aromatic halogens the aromatic fluorine compounds react best with sulfinates via S-alkylation. It has been found surprisingly, that the addition of calcium compounds to the reaction mixture and/or the after-treatment of the polymers, polymer blends, polymer (blend) membranes or other bodies obtained from the reaction products according to the invention with aqueous solutions of calcium compounds favours the sulfinat-S-alkylation reaction. Presumably the fluoride anions liberated during the S-alkylation are precipitated from the reaction equilibrium by formation of very sparingly soluble calcium fluoride:
2Ar—F+2MO₂S—R′+Ca²⁺→2Ar—S(O)₂—R′+CaF₂
If the S-alkylation reaction is conducted in organic solvents, calcium compounds are preferred, which are soluble in organic solvents, such as e.g.:

- calcium acetylacetonate (Bis-(2,4-pentanedionato)-calcium)
- calcium-bis-(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluor-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octandionate)
- calcium-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoracetylacetonate
- calciummethylate
- calciumoxalate
- calcium-D-gluconate
- calcium-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionate)
- calciumtriflate (Trifluormethanesulfonic acid calcium salt)

However for some reactions it is sufficient to add to the reaction mixture an in the used solvent sparingly soluble calcium salt, because already small quantities of calcium ions and fluoride ions in the reaction mixture are sufficient to precipitate calcium fluoride. Thus to the reaction mixture can be added inorganic calcium salts: calcium halogenides, calcium sulfate, calcium hydrogensulfate, calcium phosphate and -hydrogenphosphates, calcium oxide, calcium hydroxide and other calcium salts.
It is also wise to post-treat the reaction products of the S-alkylation of sulfinates with aryl fluor compounds with aqueous solutions of calcium salts, on the one hand to complete the S-alkylation reactions and on the other hand to precipitate the toxic fluoride ions liberated during the reaction with calcium ions as CaF₂, which is important for an industrial production process.
Surprisingly it has been found, that during the reaction of difluorinated and higher fluorinated aromatic sulfonic acid halides with polymeric sulfinates simultaneously cross-linking reactions take place, because the reaction product is no longer soluble in organic solvents. In FIG. 5B the postulated course of the reaction of a polymeric Li-sulfinate with pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is shown. The covalently cross-linked ionomer membranes obtained show a surprisingly low ionic resistance at a surprisingly low water up-take (swelling) (see examples).
Surprisingly it has been found, that a mixture of:

- low-molecular difluorinated and higher fluorinated aromatic sulfonic acid halides carbonic acid halides or phosphonic acid halides or other non-ionic precursors of corresponding acids (ester, amides, imides)
  and
- low-molecular perfluorinated aromatic compounds as perfluorodiphenylsulfone, perfluorobenzophenone, perfluorotriphenylphosphinoxide, perfluorodiphenyl, perfluorodiphenylether and other perfluorinated aromatic compounds (FIG. 5 c)
  leads via reaction with polymeric or oligomeric sulfinates to cross-linked ionomer membranes with particularly high chemical stability and low swelling also at high temperatures.

Surprisingly it has been found, that also mixtures of polymeric or oligomeric sulfinates with the following low-molecular compounds lead to covalently cross-linked ionomer membranes with a particular advantageous profile of properties:

- low-molecular perfluorinated or partly fluorinated precursor of aromatic carbonic acids, phosphonic acids or sulfonic acids or their non-ionic precursor (acid halides, acid amides, acid imides, acid ester)
  and
- dihalogen alkanes Hal(CH₂)_xHal (x=1-20, Hal=I, Br, Cl)

A further, fifth set of compounds, which reacts surprisingly via S-alkylation with polymeric sulfinates, are hetaryl halogen compounds, a selection of which is shown in FIG. 6.
In particular it has been found, that by the reaction according to the invention reactive dyes can be bound to sulfinated polymers. In FIG. 7 exemplary reactive groups of dyes are shown, which react with sulfinate groups by S-Alkylation. The order of affinity of (het)aromatic halogen compounds for the S-Alkylation reaction is F>Cl>Br>I. Thereby the reactive groups are not limited to halogen radicals, but can be also protected or unprotected vinylsulfone groups or other unsaturated olefine groups. Olefines with electron-attracting groups (e.g. sulfone groups, sulfonate group, sulfonamide group, sulfonimide group, nitro group, halogen group, nitroso group, carbonyl group, carboxyl group) are preferred.
In FIG. 8 exemplary reactive dyes are shown, which react according to the invention. A field of application of such polymers coloured with reactive dyes is non-linear optics. An advantage of these polymers is, that the dyes are bound permanently by the alkylation reaction according to the invention to the polymer.
In addition it has been found surprisingly, that by the method according to the invention functional groups can be introduced in polymers, into which normally these groups can not be introduced. Thus a functional group can be introduced by a metalation reaction into polymers, which can be metalated and are self-conductive (FIG. 9)⁶.
⁶Kerres et al., J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem., 39, 2874-2888 (2001)
Until now it was not possible to introduce this group into polymers, which can not be metalalated. A group of polymeres, which can not be metalated, are polyetherketones, because organo metallic compounds as e.g. n-butyllithium would add to the carbonyl function. By the method according to the invention a way is opened to introduce the self-conducting group also into polyetherketones. Thereto the sulfochloride groups of a polymer containing sulfochloride groups are reduced with e.g. sodiumsulfite to sulfinate groups. The sulfinate groups can be alkylated subsequently with a halogen-containing compound, which contains the self-conducting group (FIG. 10).
Furthermore it has been found surprisingly, that polymers containing alkylation groups can be reacted with low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinates by S-alkylation. Examples for alkylation groups according to the invention are (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I):

- halogen alkyl groups Hal-Al (Al=aliphatic radical)
- halogen aryl groups Hal-Ar
- halogen benzyl groups Hal-CH₂—Ar

Examples for polymers with alkylation groups according to the invention are in particular halogen methylated polymeres (e.g. chlorine methylated polystyrole, bromine methylated polysulfone).
In addition it has been found surprisingly, that also thin films (membranes) or other bodies from sulfinated polymers can be modified by sulfinate-S-alkylation according to the invention, and this either on the surface or in the bulk: if the membrane is swollen in an organic solvent containing also the alkylation agent all sulfinate groups of the membrane/moulded body can be alkylated; in the non-swollen state the membrane/moulded body is modified only on the surface (this comprises also the inner surface of porous membranes).
Surprisingly it has been found, that also the inverse case is possible: membranes or other moulded bodies containing alkylation agents are swollen in a suitable organic solvent containing low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinate compounds. The alkylation takes place either on the surface or in the bulk.
Furthermore it has been found surprisingly, that thin films (membranes) or other moulded bodies if necessary covalently cross-linked can be produced via sulfinate-S-alkylation in one step, by making in a first step the following reaction mixtures:

- (1) a sulfinated polymer is dissolved in a suitable organic solvent. Then to the solution an alkylation agent or a mixture of various alkylation agents, whereby the alkylation agents may possess also 2 or more alkylation groups (=cross-linker), is added. At the same time the alkylation agent may possess also further functional groups, e.g. cation exchange groups or their non-ionic precursors or anion exchange groups or their non-ionic precursors.
- (2) A polymer containing alkylation groups (e.g. a halogen methylated polymer) is dissolved in a suitable organic solvent. Then to the solution a low-molecular or high-molecular compound(s) containing one or more sulfinate groups is(are) added. At the same time the sulfinates may possess also further functional groups, e.g. cation exchange groups or their non-ionic precursors or anion exchange groups or their non-ionic precursors.

In a further step the reaction mixtures are cast onto a support (glass metal or polymer plate, textile support, nonwoven) using a doctor knife. Then the solvent is evaporated by a temperature increase and/or application of low pressure. During the solvent evaporation the alkylation reactions take place.
To covalently cross-link the membranes, high-molecular or low-molecular compounds containing 2 or more alkylation groups have to be added to the reaction mixture (1). An example for a high-molecular cross-linker, which can be used according to the invention, is a halogen methylated polymer (chloromethylated polystyrole, bromomethylated polysulfone). Examples for low-molecular cross-linker are shown in FIG. 11. Thereby the cross-linker may possess besides the functional groups to be reacted with the sulfinate groups also further functional groups, e.g. basic or acidic functional groups (FIG. 11) or their non-ionic precursors.
Examples of Application
1. Reaction of Polysulfone-lithiumsulfinate with (3-bromopropyl)trimethylammonium-bromide
10 g 5 wt % PSU-lithiumsulfinate solution (1 sulfinate group per repeat unit) in dimethylsulfoxide DMSO are mixed with 10.179 g of a 5 wt % solution of (3-bromopropyl)trimethylammonumbromide in DMSO under stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand in a closed glass bottle in a drying oven at a temperature of 80° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the solution is poured into a glass Petri dish, and the solvent is evaporated. Then the film is removed from the Petri dish and post-treated using the following procedure:
24 h at ambient temperature in 10% aqueous NaOH solution
24 h at 60° C. in water
2. Reaction of Polysulfone-lithiumsulfinate with (3-bromopropyl)triphenylphosphonium-bromide
10 g 5 wt % PSU-lithiumsulfinate solution (1 sulfinate group per repeat unit) in dimethylsulfoxide DMSO are mixed with 18.104 g of a 5 wt % solution of (3-bromopropyl)triphenylphosphoniumbromide in DMSO under stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand in a closed glass bottle in a drying oven at a temperature of 80° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the solution is poured into a glass Petri dish, and the solvent is evaporated. Then the film is removed from the Petri dish and post-treated using the following procedure:
24 h at ambient temperature in 10% aqueous NaOH solution
24 h at 60° C. in water
3. Reaction of Polysulfone-lithiumsulfinate with 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole
10 g 5 wt % PSU-lithiumsulfinate solution (1 sulfinate group per repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone are mixed with 0.325 g 2-chloromethylbenzimidazole in DMSO under stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand in a closed glass bottle in a drying oven at a temperature of 80° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the solution is poured into a glass Petri dish, and the solvent is evaporated. Then the film is removed from the Petri dish and post-treated using the following procedure:
24 h at ambient temperature in 10% aqueous NaOH solution
24 h at 60° C. in water
4. Reaction of Polysulfone-lithiumsulfinate with Cibacron® Brilliantgelb C. I. 18972
10 g 5 wt % PSU-lithiumsulfinate solution (1 sulfinate group per repeat unit) in dimethylsulfoxide DMSO are mixed with 1.7 g of Cibacron® Brilliantgelb C. I. 18972 under stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand in a closed glass bottle in a drying oven at a temperature of 80° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the solution is poured into a glass Petri dish, and the solvent is evaporated. Then the film is removed from the Petri dish and post-treated using the following procedure:
24 h at 90° C. in 7% aqueous HCl solution
24 h at 60° C. in water
5. Reaction of Polysulfone-lithiumsulfinate mit Cibacron® Brilliantrot C. I. 18105
10 g 5 wt % PSU-lithiumsulfinate solution (1 sulfinate group per repeat unit) in dimethylsulfoxide DMSO are mixed with 3.88 g of Cibacron® Brilliantrot C. I. 18105 under stirring. The mixture is allowed to stand in a closed glass bottle in a drying oven at a temperature of 80° C. for 48 h. Subsequently, the solution is poured into a glass Petri dish, and the solvent is evaporated. Then the film is removed from the Petri dish and post-treated using the following procedure:
24 h at 90° C. in 7% aqueous HCl solution
24 h at 60° C. in water
6. Covalently Cross-Linked Anion Exchange Membrane with Quaternary Ammonium Salts
11 g 15 wt % PSU(SO₂Li)₂solution (2 sulfinate groups per PSU repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) are mixed with 0.51 g (3-bromopropyl)trimethyl-ammoniumbromide and stirred under slight heating until dissolution of the salt. Then 0.38 ml 1,4-diiodobutane (cross-linking agent) is added and further 5 g NMP. The reaction mixture is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated in a vacuum drying oven at 140-150° C. and first 700 mbar, then <10 mbar pressure. During the membrane formation, the alkylation reactions take place. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 60° C. in water
7. Covalently Cross-Linked Anion Exchange Membrane with Quaternary Phosphonium Salts
9.94 g 15 wt % PSU(SO₂Li)₂solution (2 sulfinate groups per PSU repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) are mixed with 1.026 g (3-bromopropyl)triphenyl-phosphoniumbromide and stirred under slight heating until dissolution of the low-molecular salt. Then 0,34 ml 1,4-diiodobutane (cross-linking agent) is added and further 5 g NMP. The reaction mixture is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated in a vacuum drying oven at 140-150° C. and first 700 mbar, then <10 mbar pressure. During the membrane formation, the alkylation reactions take place. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 60° C. in water
8. Covalently Cross-Linked Cation Exchange Membrane from PSU-sulfinate and (2-bromomethyl)sulfonic Acid Na-salt
6.67 g 15 wt % i PSU(SO₂Li)₂solution. (2 sulfinate groups per PSU repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) are mixed with 0.38 g (2-bromomethyl)sulfonic acid Na-salt and stirred under slight heating until dissolution of the low-molecular salt. Then 0,05 ml 1,4-diiodobutane (cross-linking agent) is added and further 8 g NMP. The reaction mixture is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated in a vacuum drying oven at 140-150° C. and first 700 mbar, then <10 mbar pressure. During the membrane formation, the alkylation reactions take place. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 60° C. in water
9. Covalently Cross-Linked Cation Exchange Membrane from PSU-sulfinate and (2-chloroethane) Sulfonic Acid Halide
6.67 g 15 wt % i PSU(SO₂Li)₂solution (2 sulfinate groups per PSU repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) are mixed with 0.545 g (2-chloroethane) sulfonic acid halide and stirred under slight heating until dissolution of the low-molecular acid halide. Then 0,05 ml 1,4-diiodobutane (cross-linking agent) is added and further 8 g NMP. The reaction mixture is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated in a vacuum drying oven at 140-150° C. and first 700 mbar, then <10 mbar pressure. During the membrane formation, the alkylation reactions take place. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows, during which the acid halide is hydrolysed to the sulfonic acid:
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 60° C. in water
10. Covalently Cross-Linked Cation Exchange Membrane from PSU-sulfinate and (2-bromomethane)phosphonic Acid Diethylester
6.67 g 15 wt % PSU(SO₂Li)₂solution (2 sulfinate groups per PSU repeat unit) in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) are mixed with 0.819 g (2-bromomethane)phosphonic acid diethylester stirred under slight heating until dissolution of the low-molecular ester. Then 0,05 ml 1,4-diiodobutane (cross-linking agent) is added. The reaction mixture is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated in a vacuum drying oven at 140-150° C. and first 700 mbar, then <10 mbar pressure. During the membrane formation, the alkylation reactions take place. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows, during which the phosphonic acid ester is hydrolysed to the phosphonic acid:
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 60° C. in water
11. Ionomer Membrane with 4-fluorobenzene Sulfochloride and Calciumtriflate
3 g RadelR(SO₂Li)₂are dissolved in 17 g NMP. Then to the solution is added first 1.184 g calciumtrifluoromethansulfonate (calciumtriflate), then 3.32 g 4-fluorobenzene sulfochloride. It is stirred, until a clear solution is obtained. The start of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction is recognised at the increasing viscosity of the polymer solution. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
12. Ionomer Blend Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1296)
The following polymers are dissolved in NMP for a 15 wt % solution:
2.258 g PSU(SO₂Li)₂
0.828 g Radel R(SO₂Li),
1.805 g sPEKCl (IEC=3.49 meq SO₃H/g after hydrolysis)
1.335 g sPEEKCl (IEC=1.8 meq SO₃H/g after hydrolysis)
Then 1.843 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added to the polymer solution. It is stirred until homogenisation. Then to the solution is added 0.75 g bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone and dissolved within. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Thereby also post-treatment steps can be left out or the order of the post-treatment steps can be altered.
Instead of pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride also other fluorinated fluorobenzene sulfochlorides or fluorobenzoylchlorides can be used in equimolar quantities or in excess for the reaction, such as difluorobenzene sulfochlorides, trifluorobenzene sulfochlorides and tetrafluorobenzene sulfochlorides. Also further addition of other cross-linking agents is possible, such as bis(3-nitro-4-fluorophenyl)sulfone, bis(4-fluorophenyl)phenylphosphinoxide or corresponding cross-linking agents with additional sulfohalide groups (bis(3-chlorosulfo-4-fluorophenyl)sulfone. Also the addition of dihalogenoalkanes or benzylhalogens is possible.
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 1.52

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 13.33

SW 25° C. (%): 108.6

SW 90° C. (%): 190

13. Ionomer Membranes with Different Fluorinated Benzene Sulfochlorides
A polymeric sulfinate (see table 1) is dissolved in NMP. Then a fluorobenzene sulfochloride or a fluorobenzoylchloride (see table 1) is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water

Thereby also post-treatment steps can be left out or the order of the post-treatment steps can be altered.

TABLE 1


Data for Example 13

	Number
	SO₂Li	Quantity		Quantity
Typ polymeric sulfinate	pro RU^a	sulfinate [g]	Typ Acidchloride	Acidchloride [g]

PSU^b-Sulfinat	1.3	3	4-Fluorobenzene sulfochloride	2.85
″	1.3	3	2,6-Difluorobenzene sulfochloride	3.06
″	1.3	3	2,3,4-Trifluorobenzene sulfochloride	3.32
″	1.3	3	2,3,4,5-Tetrafluorobenzene	3.58
			sulfochloride
″	1.3	3	Pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride	3.84
Radel R^c-sulfinate	1	3	Pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride	3.12
PEEK(SO₂Li)_0.5(SO₃Li)_0.5 ^d	0.5	3	Pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride	2.24
PSU-sulfinate	2	3	Pentafluorobenzoylchloride	4.7

^aRepeat unit

14. Ionomer Membranes with Fluorinated Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride and Additional Cross-Linking Agent

3 g polymeric sulfinate (see table 2) is dissolved in NMP. Then 1.95 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride (see table 2) is added. Then an aromatic cross-linking agent is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% NaOH
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water

TABLE 2


Data for Example 14

	Number		Quantity
Typ polymeric	SO₂Li		cross-linking
sulfinate	per RU^a	Typ cross-linking agent	agent [g]

PSU^b-sulfinate	1.3	Bis(3-nitro-4-	0.935
		fluorophenyl)sulfone
″	1.3	Bis(3-sulfochloro-	1.22
		4-fluorophenyl)sulfone
″	1.3	Bis(4-fluorophenyl)phenyl-	0.85
		phosphinoxide
″	1.3	Bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone	0.69

^bPolysulfon Udel (producer BP Amoco)
^cPolyphenylsulfon Radel R (producer BP Amoco)
^dPoly(etheretherketon) (producer Victrex)
^aWiederholungseinheit
^bPolysulfon Udel (Hersteller BP Amoco)

Surprisingly it has been found, that the further addition of a calcium salt to the reaction mixture in equimolar amounts related to sulfinate groups further accelerates the reaction, presumably by removal of the fluoride ions which form during the nucleophilic substitution reaction as precipitated calcium fluoride. If calciumfluoride is formed, it would remain in side the membrane matrix which leads to a higher thermal resistance and mechanical stability of the membranes. A calcium salt, which can be used in the reactions of examples 13 and 14, is calcium trifluorosulfonate (calcium triflate), because this salt is soluble in NMP and other dipolar-aprotic solvents.
15. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1289)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)₂is dissolved in NMP. Then 2.5 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 0.89

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 38.05

SW 25° C. (%): 24.6

SW 90° C. (%): 32.6

16. Ionomer Membrane with 2,6-difluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1297)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 3.06 g 2,6-difluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 0.29

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 67.8

SW 25° C. (%): 13.8

SW 90° C. (%): 25.5

17. Ionomer Membrane with 2,3,4-trifluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1298)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 3.32 g 2,3,4-trifluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 0.10

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 21.8

SW 25° C. (%): 14.8

SW 90° C. (%): 45.6

18. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1299)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 1.92 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in Wasser
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 0.99

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 26.1

SW 25° C. (%): 14.8

SW 90° C. (%): 44

19. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1300)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 1.92 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added followed by 1.184 g calciumtrifluorsulfonate. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in Wasser
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 1.01

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 12.2

SW 25° C. (%): 27

SW 90° C. (%): 69.6

20. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1301)
3 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 3.84 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 1.25

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 8.3

SW 25° C. (%): 41.4

SW 90° C. (%): 136

21. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1302)
2.693 g PSU(SO₂Li)_1.3is dissolved in NMP. Then 3.45 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added followed by 0.5 g bis(3-nitro-4-fluorphenyl)sulfone. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g): 1.16

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 7.5

SW 25° C. (%): 30.8

SW 90° C. (%): 207.8

22. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1307)
2.822 g RadelR(SO₂Li)₁is dissolved in NMP. Then 1.79 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:

IEC (meq SO₃H/g):

R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω * cm): 36.8

SW 25° C. (%):

SW 90° C. (%):

23. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1309)
3 g RadelR(SO₂Li)₂is dissolved in NMP. Then 2 ml pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:
IEC (meq SO₃H/g):
R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω*cm):
SW 25° C. (%):
SW 90° C. (%):
24. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1310)
3 g PEEK(SO₂Li)_0.5(SO₃Li)_0.5is dissolved in NMP. Then 0.5 ml pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:
IEC (meq SO₃H/g):
R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω*cm):
SW 25° C. (%):
SW 90° C. (%):
25. Ionomer Membrane with Pentafluorobenzene Sulfochloride (Membran 1312)
4 g RadelR(SO₂Li)₂is dissolved in NMP. Then 2.2 g pentafluorobenzene sulfochloride is added followed by 1.337 g decafluorobenzophenone. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 10% CaCl₂
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h at ambient temperature up to 90° C. in water
Characterisation Results:
IEC (meq SO₃H/g):
R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω*cm):
SW 25° C. (%):
SW 90° C. (%):
26. Ionomer Membrane with Decafluorobenzophenone (Membran 1313)
4.486 g PEEK(SO₂Li)_0.5(SO₃Li)_0.5is dissolved in NMP. Then 0.235 g decafluorobenzophenone is added. It is stirred until homogenisation. The solution is cast onto a glass plate using a doctor knife and the solvent is evaporated at 130-140° C. and 700 mbar to 1 mbar. Then the membrane is removed under water and post-treated as follows:
24 h bei RT-90° C. in 110% CaCl₂
48 h bei RT-90° C. in 1N HCl
48 h bei RT-90° C. in Wasser
Characterisation Results:
IEC (meq SO₃H/g):
R_sp ^H+, 0.5N HCl (Ω*cm):
SW 25° C. (%):
SW 90° C. (%):

The polymer of the invention has repeat units corresponding to the general formulae (1A), (1B), (1C), (1D), (1E), (1F), (1G), (1H), (1I), (1T), (1K), (1L), (1M), (1N), (1O), (1P), (1Q), (1R), (1S) and/or (1T):



—O—R⁶—	(1A)
—S—R⁶—	(1B)
—O—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—	(1C)
—O—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—O—R⁶—	(1D)
—O—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—O—R⁶—R⁶—	(1E)

	(1F)

—O—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—	(1G)
—O—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—R⁶—SO₂—R⁶—O—R^6—SO ₂—R⁶—	(1H)

	(1I)

with 0<X, Y<100%

based on the number of all repeat units



—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—	(1J)
—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—CO—R⁶—	(1K)
—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—CO—R⁶—	(1L)
—O—R⁶—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—	(1M)
—O—R⁶—O—R⁶—CO—R⁶—CO—R⁶—	(1N)

	(1O)

with 0 < X, Y < 100%
—R⁶—	(1P)
—R⁶—CH═CH—	(1Q)
—CHR⁷—CH₂—	(1R)

	(1S)

	(1T)

Independently of one another here the radicals R⁶which are identical or different, are 1,2-phenylene, 1,3-phenylene, 1,4-phenylene, 4,4′-biphenyl, a divalent radical of a hetero aromatic, a divalent radical of a C₁₀aromatic, a divalent radical of a C₁₄aromatic and/or a divalent pyrene radical. An example of a C₁₀aromatic is naphthalene; of a C₁₄aromatic, phenanthrene. The substitution pattern of the aromatic and/or hetero aromatic is arbitrary, in the case of phenylene, for example, R⁶may be ortho-, meta- and para-phenylene.
The radicals R⁷, R⁸and R⁹designate monovalent, tetravalent and trivalent aromatic or heteroaromatic groups, respectively, and the radicals U, which are identical within a repeat unit, are an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or an amino group which carries a hydrogen atom, a group having 1-20 carbon atoms, preferably a branched or unbranched alkyl or alkoxy group, or an aryl group as a further radical.
The polymers with repeat units of the general formula (1) that are particularly preferred in the context of the present invention include homopolymers and copolymers, examples being random copolymers, such as ®Victrex 720 P and ®Astrel. Especially preferred polymers are polyaryl ethers, polyaryl thioethers, polysulfones, polyether ketones, polypyrroles, polythiophenes, polyazoles, phenylenes, polyphenylenevinylenes, polyanilines, polyazulenes, polycarbazoles, polypyrenes, polyindophenines and polyvinylpyridines, especially polyaryl ethers:
Especially preferred in accordance with the invention are cross-linked polymers with repeat units of the general formula (1A-1), (1B-1), (1C-1), (1I-1), (1G-1), (1E-1), (1H-1), (1I-1), (1F-1), (1J-1), (1K-1), (1L-1), (1M-1) and/or (1N-1).
In the context of the present invention, n designates the number of repeat units along one macromolecule chain of the cross-linked polymer. This number of the repeat units of the general formula (1) along one macromolecule chain of the cross-linked polymer is preferably an integer greater than or equal to 10, in particular greater than or equal to 100. The number of repeat units of the general formula (1A), (1B), (1C), (1D), (1E), (1F), (1G), (1H), (1I), (1J), (1K), (1L), (1M), (1N), (1O), (1P), (1Q), (1R), (1S) and/or (1T) along one macromolecule chain of the cross-linked polymer is preferably an integer greater than or equal to 10, in particular greater than or equal to 100.
In one particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numerical average of the molecular weight of the macromolecular chain is greater than 25.000 g/mol, appropriately greater than 50.000 g/mol, in particular greater than 100.000 g/mol.

Claims

1. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies, characterized in that a polymer containing at least sulfinate groups SO₂M, a polymer blend containing at least sulfinate groups SO₂M, a polymer(blend)membrane containing at least sulfinate groups SO₂M or other moulded bodies containing at least sulfinate groups SO₂M (M represents 1-, 2- or 3-valent metal cation or ammonium ion NR₄ ⁺ (R represents H and/or alkyl and/or Aryl or imidazolium ion or pyrazolium ion or pyridinium ion) are subjected to S-alkylation reactions of the sulfinate group, wherein ALK represents any alkylation agent or mixture of different alkylation agents, that react by S-Alkylation either by substitution or by addition (with olefins with electron-attracting groups) with the sulfinate group:

thereby the alkylation agent shows 1 or 2 or >2 alkylation groups.

2. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies, characterized in that a polymer containing at least alkylation groups, a polymer blend containing at least alkylation groups, a polymer(blend)membrane containing at least alkylation groups or other moulded bodies containing at least alkylation groups ALK reacts with a low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinate compound R—SO₂M (R=any organic radical resp. polymer repeat unit) by S-alkylation of the sulfinate groups, wherein ALK represents any alkylation agent or mixture of different alkylation agents, that react by S-Alkylation either by substitution or by addition (with olefins with electronen-attracting groups) with the sulfinate group:

3. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that M represents alkali ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺) or other monovalent cations such as Cu⁺ or Ag⁺, that 0.1 to 8 alkylation groups resp. sulfinate groups per polymer repeat unit are present, and that the alkylation agent or mixture of alkylation agents shows 1 or 2 groups, which can be alkylated.

4. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 1 and 2 characterized in that as alkylation agents

high-molecular or low-molecular halogen compounds (Hal)_n-Al or (Hal)_n-Ar or (Hal-CH₂)_n—Ar or (Hal-Ar)_n-Al, n represents a number between 1 and 1000

or

sultones

or

epoxy groups containing high-molecular or low-molecular compounds

or

alkoxy groups containing high-molecular or low-molecular compounds

or

tosylate groups containing high-molecular or low-molecular compounds

or

other nucleophilic leaving groups

or

olefin groups with electron-attracting groups containing high-molecular or low-molecular compounds

containing organic compounds are used (R=alkyl, aryl, hetaryl, any organic radicals, M represents alkali ions or alkaline-earth ions or any monovalent or bivalent metal cation or ammonium cation, polymer represents any polymer main chain, Hal represents F, Cl, Br, I, x represents a number between 2 and 20, X represents electron-attracting-groups, n represents the number of repeat units (RU) of the base polymer):

5. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as sultone 4-, 5- 6- or 7-ring-sultones are preferred, in which also benzosultones can be used:

6. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 and 5 characterized in that as sultone 4- or 5-ring-(benz)sultones are preferred.

7. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as halogen containing compounds those compounds are preferred that contain one or more anion exchange groups:

8. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 7 characterized in that m represents a number between 1 and 10, R₁represents C_nH_2n-1with n represents a number between 1 and 12 and/or phenyl and Hal represents Cl, Br or I and Ar represents 1,4-phenylen.

9. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as halogen compound a benzyl compound is used (R represents any organic radical):

10. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 9 characterized in that as benzyl compound the following compounds are preferred:

11. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as halogen compound a haloamine is used:

12. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as halogen compound a compound is used, which contains cation exchange groups or their non-ionic precursor:

13. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 12 characterized in that as halogen compound the following compounds are preferred:

14. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 4 characterized in that as halogen compounds arylhalogen compounds or hetarylhalogen compounds are used.

15. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 14 characterized in that as halogen compounds, compounds are preferred, which contain the following sub-structures:

16. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 14 characterized in that as halogen compounds, reactive dyes are preferred containing the following reactive groups: dichlorotriazine, difluoropyrimidine, monofluorotriazine, dichlorochinoxaline, monochlortriazine, trichloropyrimidine, mononicotinic acid triazine, Michael-acceptors such as vinylsulfone or their sulphuric acid ester

17. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 15 characterized in that the reactive dyes may contain the following chromophores:

Azo with arylpyrazol-5-one as coupling component

Azo with I-acid as coupling component (CC)

Azo with H-acid as CC

Azo-copper complex with H-acid as CC

Coppercomplex-formazane

Phtalocyanine

Anthrachinone

Triphendioxazine

Disazo with H-acid as CC

Azo-Coppercomplex with 1-aryl-pyrazol-5-on as CC

18. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 17 characterized in that as base polymers of the modified polymers, polymer blends, polymer (blend) membranes are preferred:

polyolefines such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyisobutylene, polynorbornene, polymethylpentene, polyisoprene, poly(1,4-butadiene), poly(1,2-butadiene)

styrol(co)polymers such as polystyrol, poly(methylstyrol), poly(α,β,β-trifluorstyrol), poly(pentafluorostyrol)

perfluorinated ionomers such as Nafion® or the SO₂Hal-precursor or the SO₂M-precursor of Nafion® (Hal represents F, Cl, Br, I), Dow®-membrane, GoreSelect®-membrane

sulfonated PVDF and/or the SO₂Hal-precursor, in which Hal represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine

(het)aryl mainchain polymers such as:

polyetherketones such as polyetherketone PEK Victrex®, polyetheretherketone PEEK Victrex®, polyetheretherketonketone PEEKK, polyetherketonether-ketonketone PEKEKK Ultrapek®, polyetheretherketonketone PEEKK, polyetherketonketone PEKK

polyethersulfone such as polysulfone Udel®, polyphenylsulfone Radel R®, polyetherethersulfone Radel A®, polyethersulfone PES Victrex® polyethersulfone Ultrason®

poly(benz)imidazole such as PBI Celazol® and other oligomers and polymers containing the (benz)imidazol-unit, in which the (benz)imidazol group can be present in the main chain or in the side chain

polyphenylenether such as poly(2,6-dimethyloxyphenylen), poly(2,6-diphenyloxyphenylen)

polyphenylensulfide and copolymers

poly(1,4-phenylene) or poly(1,3-phenylene), which can be modified in the side chain with benzoyl-, napthoyl- or o-phenyloxy-1,4-benzoyl groups, m-phenyloxy-,1,4-benzoyl groups or p-phenyloxy-1,4-benzoyl groups,

poly(benzoxazole) and copolymers

poly(benzthiazole) and copolymers

poly(phtalazinone) and copolymers

polyaniline and copolymers

19. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 18 characterized in that as base polymers (Het)aryl main chain polymers are preferred, which consist of the following construction units (R represents construction units, BrG represents bridging groups between construction units (n represents the number of polymer repeat units (RE)

(—(R—BrG)_n-):

20. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 19 characterized in that as polymer rests the following types of aryl main chain polymers are preferred:

polyethersulfones such as PSU Udel®, PES Victrex®, PPhSU Radel R®, PEES Radel A®, Ultrason®;

polyphenylene such as poly-p-phenylene, poly-m-Phenylene and poly-p-stat-m-phenylene;

polyphenyleneether such as poly(2,6-dimethylphenyleneether) and poly(2,6-diphenylphenyleneether);

polyphenylensulfide

polyetherketone such as polyetheretherketone PEEK, Polyetherketone PEK, polyetheretherketoneketone PEEKK, polyetherketoneketone PEKK, polyetherketonetherketoneketone PEKEKK

21. Modified polymers or polymer blends or polymer (blend) membranes or polymer moulded bodies according to claim 20 characterized in that the polymers can carry in addition the following functional groups in any position: NO₂, Hal, R₂, N(R₂)₂, SO₂R₂, NO, SO₂Hal, SO₂N(R₂)₂, R₉═C_n(C_nH_2n-1)_2n-1, R₉═C_n(Hal)_2n-1, R₉═C_n(C_n(Hal)_2n-1)_2n-1, (n=1-20), H, Hal (Hal=F, Cl, Br, I), R₉, OR₉mit R₉═C_nH_2n-1, R₉═C_n(C_nH_2n-1)_2n-1, R₉═C_n(Hal)_2n-1, R₉═C_n(C_n(Hal)_2n-1)_2n-1(n=1-20), phenyl, naphtyl, anthracenyl, aryl, hetaryl, N(R₃)₂, N₃, NO₂, ONO, nitroalkyl, nitroaryl, COOR₉.

22. Process for the production of modified polymers according to claim 21 characterized in that the polymer containing sulfinate groups are reacted if necessary together with other polymers in a reaction vessel if necessary under inert gas and if necessary dissolved or suspended in a solvent suitable for the respective alkylation reaction with the organic alkylation agents according to the invention or mixtures of alkylation agents and if necessary with in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. if necessary under inert gas with stirring, the reaction mixture is stirred at temperatures between 0° C. and +200° C., until the reaction is finished and then the work-up of the reaction mixture is carried out as follows:

(a) water-soluble products:

1) (optionally) addition of a 2 to 10-fold excess of water, aqueous calcium salt solution such as calcium chloride solution or calcium gluconate solution and/or aqueous base solution (1-30% NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Ca(OH)₂, 1-30% ammonia solution or amine solution), based on the molar mass of alkylation agent, under stirring to the reaction mixture to deactivate alkylation agent in excess and if necessary precipitate the fluoride ions liberated during the reaction as CaF₂;

2) -precipitation resp. suspension of the reaction mixture in a 2 to 20-fold excess (based on the volume of the reaction mixture or the modified polymer) of an alcohol (methanol, ethanol, i-propanol, n-propanol) or of water or an aqueous mineral salt solution (NaCl, NaHCO₃, Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, etc.) or other common precipitation agents (acetone, methylethylketone etc.) and filtration;

3) washing of the precipitate until the wash water is free of ions;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure;

5) (optionally) redissolution of the modified polymer in a suitable solvent and work-up as above (from 2)).

(b) water-soluble products:

1) mixing of the reaction mixture with a 2 to 10-fold excess of water, aqueous calcium salt solution such as calcium chloride solution or calcium gluconate solution and/or aqueous base solution (1-30% NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Ca(OH)₂, 1-30% ammonia solution or amine solution), based on the molar mass of alkylation agent, under stirring to the reaction mixture to deactivate alkylation agent in excess and if necessary precipitate the fluoride ions liberated during the reaction as CaF₂;

2) mixing of the reaction mixture with a 5 to 20-fold excess of water and dialysis until all low-molecular substances are removed;

3) filtration of all water-insoluble parts of the dialysate;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure.

23. Process for the production of polymer (blend) membranes according to claim 21 characterized in that the polymers containing sulfinate groups are mixed if necessary together with other polymers in a reaction vessel if necessary under inert gas and if necessary dissolved or suspended in a for the respective alkylation reaction suitable dipolar-aprotic solvent or protic solvent or ether solvent with the organic alkylation agents according to the invention or mixtures of alkylation agents and if necessary with in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. if necessary under inert gas with stirring, the reaction mixture is stirred at temperatures between 0° C. and +200° C., until the reaction has started or is finished and then direct from the reaction mixture a thin film is cast with a doctor knife on a support (e.g. glass plate or metal plate or textile support or nonwoven), the solvent is removed from the film by a temperature increase and if necessary a pressure reduction and then the polymer(blend)film is posttreated as follows, in which the number and order of the posttreatment steps can be varied:

(1) if necessary 1-50% aqueous calcium salt solution at temperature between 0° C. and 90° C. for 1 to 48 hours

(2) 1-50% aqueous base at temperature between 0° C. and 90° C. for 1 to 48 hours

(3) 1-20% aqueous mineral acid at temperature between 0° C. and 90° C. for 1 to 48 hours

(4) water at a temperature between 0° C. and 100° C. for 1 to 48 hours

24. Process for the production of either on the surface or in the bulk modified polymer (blend) membranes or other polymer moulded bodies according to claim 21 characterized in that the polymermembranes or polymer moulded bodies containing sulfinate groups, which are if necessary in an organic solvent, are alkylated in a reaction vessel with an alkylation agent or a mixture of different alkylation agents if necessary under inert gas and if necessary with addition of in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. either on the surface or in the bulk until the end of the alkylation reaction, and are then post-treated as follows:

1) addition of a 2 to 10-fold excess of water, aqueous calcium salt solution such as calcium chloride solution or calcium gluconate solution and/or aqueous base solution (1-30% NaOH, KOH, LiOH, Ca(OH)₂, 1-30% ammonia solution or amine solution), based on the molar mass of alkylation agent, to the polymer moulded body to deactivate alkylation agent in excess and if necessary precipitate the fluoride ions liberated during the reaction as CaF₂;

2) washing of the polymer moulded body in a 2 to 20-fold excess (based on the volume of the reaction mixture or the modified polymer) of an alcohol (methanol, ethanol, i-propanol, n-propanol) or of water or an aqueous mineral salt solution (NaCl, NaHCO₃, Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, etc.) or other common organic solvents (acetone, methylethylketon etc.);

3) washing with water until the wash water is free of ions;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure.

25. Process for the production of modified polymers according to claim 21 characterized in that the polymers containing alkylation groups are reacted if necessary together with other polymers in a reaction vessel if necessary under inert gas and if necessary dissolved or suspended in a for the respective alkylation reaction suitable solvent with the low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinates according to the invention or mixtures of sulfinates and if necessary with in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. if necessary under inert gas with stirring, the reaction mixture is stirred at temperatures between 0° C. and +200° C., until the reaction is finished and then the work-up of the reaction mixture is carried out as follows:

(a) water-soluble products:

2) -precipitation resp. suspension of the reaction mixture in a 2 to 20-fold excess (based on the volume of the reaction mixture or the modified polymer) of an alcohol (methanol, ethanol, i-propanol, n-propanol) or of water or an aqueous mineral salt solution (NaCl, NaHCO₃, Na₂SO₄, CaCl₂, etc.) or other common precipitation agents (acetone, methylethylketon etc.) and filtration;

3) washing of the precipitate until the wash water is free of ions;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure;

(b) water-soluble products:

3) filtration of all water-insoluble parts of the dialysate;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure.

26. Process for the production of polymer(blend) membranes according to claim 21 characterized in that the polymers containing alkylation groups are mixed if necessary together with other polymers in a reaction vessel if necessary under inert gas and if necessary dissolved or suspended in a for the respective alkylation reaction suitable solvent with the low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinates according to the invention or mixtures of sulfinates and if necessary with in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. if necessary under inert gas with stirring, the reaction mixture is stirred at temperatures between 0° C. and +200° C., until the reaction has started or is finished and then direct from the reaction mixture a thin film is cast with a doctor knife on a support (e.g. glass plate or metal plate or textile support or nonwoven), the solvent is removed from the film by a temperature increase and if necessary a pressure reduction and then the polymer(blend)film is posttreated as follows, in which the number and order of the posttreatment steps can be varied:

(4) water at a temperature between 0° C. and 100° C. for 1 to 48 hours

27. Process for the production of either on the surface or in the bulk modified polymer (blend) membranes or other polymer moulded bodies according to claim 21 characterized in that the alkylation groups containing polymermembranes or polymer moulded bodies, which are if necessary in an organic solvent, are alkylated in a reaction vessel if necessary under inert gas and if necessary with in the reaction mixture soluble or sparingly soluble calcium compounds at temperatures between 0° C. to +200° C. either on the surface or in the bulk with the low-molecular or high-molecular sulfinates according to the invention or mixtures of sulfinates until the alkylation reaction has finished and then the work-up of the reaction mixture is carried out as follows:

3) washing with water until the wash water is free of ions;

4) drying at higher temperatures and if necessary reduced pressure.

28. Process according to the claim 27 characterized in that are used either in pure form or as a mixture as reaction medium or as solvent for the alkylation reaction:

dipolar-aprotic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide, sulfolane, N-methylpyrrolidinone, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylformamide, N-methylacetamide, acetonitrile, dimethylcarbonate, diethylcarbonate or mixtures of these solvents with each other;

an ether solvent such as diethylether, tetrahydrofurane, glyme, diglyme, triglyme, dioxane or mixtures of these solvents with each other;

an alkylalcohol such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol or mixtures of these solvents with each other;

a ketone such as methylethylketon or acetone or mixtures of these solvents with each other

water or its mixtures with the above solvents

Any mixtures of above solvents.

29. Process according to claim 28 characterized in that as soluble or sparingly-soluble calcium compounds in the reaction mixture the following calcium compounds are preferred:

calciumacetylacetonate (Bis-(2,4-pentandionato)-calcium)

calcium-bis-(6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluor-2,2-dimethyl-3,5-octandionate)

calcium-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoracetylacetonate

calciummethylate

calciumoxalate

calcium-D-gluconate

calcium-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptandionate)

calciumtriflate (calcium salt of trifluoromethansulfonic acid)

30. Forming of modified polymers produced according to claim 29 to membranes for use in membran processes or if necessary membrane fuel cells, membran electrolysis.

31. Use of modified polymers produced according to claim 29 as a blend component for proton conducting blend membranes for membrane fuel cells or membran electrolysis, in which the blend membranes if necessary can be cross-linked physically and/or covalently.

32. Use of modified polymer membranes produced according to claim 29 in membrane separation processes, membrane fuel cells or membrane electrolysis.