Room temperature, simple and efficient synthesis and functionalization of aromatic poly(arylene sulfide)s, poly(arylene sulfoxide)s and poly(arylene sulfone)s

•Phenyl sulfide reacts with trifluoroacetone and isatin to give polyarylene sulfides.•One-pot, room temperature polyhydroxyalkylations proceed with high regioselectivity.•Room temperature oxidation affords polyarylene sulfoxides and polyarylene sulfones.•Heating the polyarylene sulfoxides produce nanofoams.•Controlled incorporation of various functionalities is achieved at room temperature.