Abstract: | Paracyclophene based monomers can be polymerized in a living fashion using the alkylidene initiator Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(OCMe(CF3)2)2. The cis-specific nature of the polymerization is critical, since small amounts of trans olefin in the backbone renders the material insoluble. These polymers have complex photophysical behavior, probably a consequence of the close proximity of chromophores along the polymer backbone. Polymerization of 9-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)-[2.2]-paracyclophan-1-ene produces a new precursor material which furnishes PPV under remarkably mild conditions. |