The influence of the ligands on the catalytic activity of a series of RhI complexes in reactions with phenylacetylene: Synthesis of stereoregular poly(phenyl) acetylene

The catalytic activity of a series of Rh L-L chel]X complexes, in which we have varied the unsaturated ligand L-L = cis, cis-cycloocta 1,5-diene(cod) or 2,5-norbornadiene(nbd) the nitrogen chelating ligand chel = 2,2′-bipyridine(bipy), 2,2′-dipyridylamine(dipyam), 2,2′-bipyrazine (bipz), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (4,4′-Me₂bipy)] and the counter ion X = PF₆, ClO₄, BPh₄], has been examined in reactions with phyenylacetylene (PA). The catalytic behaviour of the Rh(cod)Cl₂],tmeda (tmeda = N,N,N′,N′tetramethylethylendiamine), Rh(cod)Cl₂],teda] (teda = triethylendiamine), of the dimer Rh(cod)Cl]₂, and the use of NaOH as cocatalyst in different reaction conditions was also examined. The influence of the ligands on the catalytic activity of these Rh^I complexes is discussed. ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra have shown that highly stereoregular polyphenylacetilene can be obtained. Conditions for homogeneous doping of PPA, to obtain materials whose conductivity varies over 10–11 magnitude orders, are proposed. The stability of the doped polymers is also discussed.