The nucleophilic cleavage of differently activated aryl ethers by a fluoride anion is studied. Two sulphone groups in para positions to the ether link appear to activate this sufficiently to allow its nucleophilic substitution by F- to occur from 280-degrees-C upwards. No reaction is observed up to 300-degrees-C when two ketone links are para to the ether, whilst the reaction occurs from 300-degrees-C upwards in the case of a mixed sulphone-ketone activation.
Carlier, V., Legras, R., Jambe, B., Devaux, J., & Mcgrail, PT. (1993). Nucleophilic Cleavage of Activated Aryl Ethers By a Fluoride Anion. Polymer, 34(1), 167-170. https://doi.org/10.1016/0032-3861(93)90301-P (Original work published 1993)