Preparation of soluble and fusible poly(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene)

Poly(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene) was prepared by oxidative polymerization of p-dimethoxybenzene with aluminum chloride and copper(II) chloride in nitrobenzene under reduced pressure. The polymers obtained were soluble in sulfuric acid and fusible at 320°C. The intrinsic viscosity of the polymer was ca. 0.07 in sulfuric acid. Demethylation of methoxy groups did not occur during the polymerization.