Synthesis of regiospecifically meta-substituted poly(phenylacetylene)s and some of their electrical properties

The syntheses, characterizations, and electrical properties of four regiospecifically substituted poly(phenylacetylene)s are described. Tungsten(VI) chloride/tetra-n-butyltin (WCl₆/n-Bu₄Sn) catalyst system (Higashimura–Masuda, H.–M. catalyst) was used to polymerize 3-bromo-, 3-chloro-, 3-trimethylsilyl-, and 3-trimethylstannylphenylacetylenes in order to obtain high-molecular-weight and soluble materials. Characterizations of these polymers were done by IR and UV spectroscopic methods, GPC, DSC, and elemental analysis. The electrical conductivities of the polymers were measured on the surface of pressed pellets by a four-point probe.