4,4'-Difluorobenzophenone
# 4,4'-Difluorobenzophenone

4,4’-Difluorobenzophenone is an organic compound with the formula of $(FC_6H_4)_2CO.$ This colorless solid is commonly used as a precursor to PEEK, or polyetherether ketone, a so-called high performance polymer. Because PEEK is resistant to attack, it is commonly used in carbon fiber coatings and cable insulation.

## Synthesis

4,4’-Difluorobenzophenone is prepared by the acylation of fluorobenzene with p-fluorobenzoyl chloride. The conversion is typically conducted in the presence of an aluminium chloride catalyst in a petroleum ether solvent.

    $FC_6H_4C(O)Cl$ + $C_6H_5F$ → $(FC_6H_4)_2CO$ + HCl

## Uses

The polymer PEEK is generated from the reaction of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone with the salts of 1,4-benzenediol.

    $C_6H_4(ONa)_2$ + $(FC_6H_4)_2CO$ → $1/n[(C_6H_4O_2)(C_{13}H_8O)]_n$ + 2 NaF
