Cationic 1,2-vinyl addition polymerization of cyclic ketene acetals initiated by conventional acids

Pure 1,2-addition polymers, poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane), 1b , poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane), 2b , and poly(2-methylene-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane), 3b , were prepared using the cationic initiators H₂SO₄, TiCl₄, BF₃, and also Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂. Small ester carbonyl bands in the IR spectra of 1b and 2b were observed when the polymerizations were performed at 80°C ( 1b ) and both 67 and 138°C ( 2b ) using Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂. The poly(cyclic ketene acetals) were stable if they were not exposed to acid and water. They were quite thermally stable and did not decompose until 290°C ( 1b ), 240°C ( 2b ), and 294°C ( 3b ). Different chemical shifts for axial and equatorial H and CH₃ on the ketal rings were found in the ¹H NMR spectrum of 3b at room temperature. High molecular weight 3b (M̄_n = 8.68 × 10⁴, M̄_w = 1.31 × 10⁵, M̄_z = 1.57 × 10⁵) was obtained upon cationic initiation by H₂SO₄. Poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane), 2b , underwent partial hydrolysis when Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂ and water were present in the polymer. The hydrolyzed products were 1,3-propanediol and a polymer containing both poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane) and polyketene units. The percentages of these two units in the hydrolyzed polymer were about 32% polyketene and 68% poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane). No crosslinked or aromatic structures were observed in the hydrolyzed products. The molecular weight of hydrolyzed polymer was M̄_n = 5740, M̄_w = 7260, and M̄_z = 9060. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3707–3716, 1997     

Synthesis and ring-opening polymerization of new 1,4-anhydro-glucopyranose derivatives

Three new 1,4-anhydro-glucopyranose derivatives having different hydroxyl protective groups such as 1,4-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-methyl-α-D -glucopyranose (AMGLU), 1,4-anhydro-6-O-benzyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-α-D -glucopyranose (A6BMG), and 1,4-anhydro-2,3-di-O-methyl-6-O-trityl-α-D -glucopyranose (A6TMG) were synthesized from methyl α-D -glucopyranoside in good yields. Their polymerizability was compared with that of 1,4-anhydro-2,3,6-tri-O-benzyl-α-D -glucopyranose (ABGLU) reported previously. The trimethylated monomer, AMGLU, was polymerized by a PF₅ catalyst to give 1,5-α-furanosidic polymer having number-average molecular weights (M̄_n) in the range of 2.8 × 10³ to 6.8 × 10³. The ¹³C-NMR spectrum was compared with that of methylated amylose and cellulose. Other anhydro monomers, A6BMG and A6TMG, gave the corresponding 1,5-α furanosidic polymers having M̄_n = 17.1 × 10³ and 1.8 × 10³, respectively. Thus, the substituents at the C2 and C6 positions were found to play an important role for the ring-opening polymerizability of the 1,4-anhydro-glucose monomers. In addition, debenzylation of the tribenzylated polymer gave free (1 → 5)-α-D -glucofuranan. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 841–850, 1998     

Cationic ring-opening polymerizations of cyclic ketene acetals initiated by acids at high temperatures

Three unsubstituted cyclic ketene acetals (CKAs), 2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a , 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a , and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a , undergo exclusive 1,2-addition polymerization at low temperatures, and only poly(CKAs) are obtained. At higher temperatures, ring-opening polymerization (ROP) can be dominant, and polymers with a mixture of ester units and cyclic ketal units are obtained. When the temperature is raised closer to the ceiling temperature (T_c) of the 1,2-addition propagation reaction, 1,2-addition polymerization becomes reversible and ring-opened units are introduced to the polymer. The ceiling temperature of 1,2-addition polymerization varies with the ring size of the CKAs (lowest for 3a , highest for 2a ). At temperatures below 138°C, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxane, 2a , underwent 1,2-addition polymerization. Insoluble poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxane) 100% 1,2-addition was obtained. At above 150°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a mixture of ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxolane, 1a , polymerized only by the 1,2-addition route at temperatures below 30°C. At 67–80°C, an insoluble polymer was obtained, which contained mostly 1,2-addition units but small amounts of ester units were detected. At 133°C, a soluble polymer was obtained containing a substantial fraction of ring-opened ester units together with 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. 2-Methylene-1,3-dioxepane, 3a , underwent partial ROP even at 20°C to give a soluble polymer containing ring-opened ester units and 1,2-addition cyclic ketal units. At −20°C, 3a gave an insoluble polymer with 1,2-addition units exclusively. Several catalysts were able to initiate the ROP of 1a, 2a , and 3a , including RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, BF₃, TiCl₄, H₂SO₄, H₂SO₄ supported on carbon, (CH₃)₂CHCOOH, and CH₃COOH. The initiation by Lewis acids or protonic acids probably occurs through an initial protonation. The propagation step of the ROP proceeds via an S_N2 mechanism. The chain transfer and termination rates become faster at high temperatures, and this may be the primary reason for the low molecular weights (M_n ≤ 10³) observed for all ring-opening polymers. The effects of temperature, monomer and initiator concentration, water content, and polymerization time on the polymer structure have been investigated during the Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂-initiated polymerization of 2a . High monomer concentrations ([M]/[ln]) increase the molecular weight and decreased the amount of ring-opening. Higher initiator concentrations (Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂) and longer reaction times increase molecular weight in high temperature reactions. Successful copolymerization of 2a with hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane was initiated by BF₃OEt₂. The copolymer obtained displayed a broad molecular weight distribution; M̄_n = 6,490, M̄_w = 15,100, M̄_z = 44,900. This polymer had about 47 mol % of ( Me₂SiO ) units, 35 mol % of ring-opened units, and 18 mol % 1,2-addition units of 2a . © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3655–3671, 1997     

A 1D coordination polymer {Pb[C6H4(COO)2][phen]} n with strong blue fluorescent emission

The hydrothermal reaction of 1,3-dicyanobenzene, 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and Pb(CH₃COO)₂ yields a new 1D coordination polymer, {Pb[C₆H₄(COO)₂][phen]} _n . The 1,3-benzenecarboxylate anion found in the final product was generated in situ during the synthesis by hydrolysis of 1,3-dicyanobenzene. X-ray diffraction shows that complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P 1, a?=?7.5442(2)?Å, b?=?9.7962(3)?Å, c?=?13.1505(4)?Å, α?=?69.739(2)?Å, β?=?80.597(2)?Å, γ?=?71.377(2)?Å, v?=?862.48(4)?ų, Z?=?2, D _c?=?2.124 Mg?m^?3. Complex 1 emits strong blue fluorescent light (λem(max)?=?482.4?nm) when excited by UV light in the solid state at room temperature.     

Junction‐Controlled Topological Polymerization

Methodology that enables the controlled synthesis of linear and branched polymers from an identical monomer will be a novel pathway for polymer synthesis and processing. Herein we first describe the control of one or both of the C(3)‐C(3′) and C(6)‐C(6′) coupling reactions of carbazolyl. In a second approach, an identical monomer containing two carbazolyls is polymerized using chemical and electrochemical oxidizers, leading to topologically controllable growth of linear polymers in weak oxidizer or of cross‐linked polymer chains in strong oxidizer, with satisfactory long chain propagation of step growth polymerization (M_n=6.0×10⁴ g mol^?1, M_w/M_n=2.3). This very simple polymerization with cheap reagents and low levels of waste has provided a flexible pathway for synthesis and processing of polymers.     

MÖSsbauer Spectroscopic Study of Fecl3 Complexes of Poly(N-Methyl-2,5-Pyrrolylene), Poly(2,5-Thienylene), and Poly(3-Methyl-2,5-Thienylene) Prepared by Ni-Catalyzed Polycondensation

Reaction of FeCl₃ with poly(N-methyl-2,5-pyrrolylene) (PNMPy), poly(2,5-thienylene) (PTh), and poly(3-methyl-2,5-thienylene) (P3MeTh) caused reduction of FeCl₃ to afford Fe²⁺ species. Variable temperature Mössbauer spectra of the reaction systems indicated formation of FeCl₂ and FeCl^? ₄. The latter is regarded as a counter-anion for the cation delocalized along the π-conjugated polymer chain.     

Mild,Efficient, and Regioselective Monobromination of Arylamines and Phenols Using [BBIm]Br3 as a New Reagent

We report here an efficient method for the synthesis and characterization of the room-temperature ionic liquid 1,3-di-n-butylimidazolium tribromide ([BBIm]Br₃) (2) and its application as an efficient reagent and solvent for regioselective bromination of arylamines and phenols under mild conditions. The bromination was carried out in the absence of organic solvents, and in most cases, the only extraction solvent needed was water. The spent 1,3-di-n-butylimidazolium bromide (1) was easily recycled.     

室温离子液体FeCl3-BPC体系的研究

利用差示扫描量热法(DSC)建立了无水三氯化铁和氯化正丁基吡啶(BPC)二元体系相图. 依据相图, FeCl₃和BPC形成室温离子液体的窗口是x＝0.26～0.58; 室温离子液体的深度是80 ℃. 利用UHF/6-31G^*对FeCl₃, FeCl₄^－, Fe₂Cl₇^－等配合物的几何结构、键长、能量和Raman频率进行优化, 从头算和Raman光谱证实了相图中FeCl₃摩尔分数x＝0.50处有稳定化合物存在, FeCl₄^－是主要阴离子; x＝0.67处, FeCl₄^－, Fe₂Cl₇^－是主要阴离子.     

Copolymerization of carbon dioxide and N-phenylethylenimine

Copolymerizations of carbon dioxide and N-phenylethylenimine were carried out with the use of various catalysts and solvents. The infrared spectrum of the polymer produced showed the characteristic absorption peak at 1730–1735 cm^?1 based on the urethane linkage. The content of the urethane linkage decreased in the following order: Mn(acac)₂ ≈ MnCl₂4H₂O > Al(OBu)₃ > Ti(OBu)₄ > ZnCl₂ ? BF₃OEt₂ = VCl₃ = Mn(acac)₃ = FeCl₃ = CrCl₃ · 6H₂O = 0. The manganase (bivalent) catalyst in combination with n-hexane solvent was found to be the best system for the copolymerization, and this system received detailed study. Generally speaking, both the polymer yield and the content of the urethane linkage increased with increasing content of carbon dioxide in the feed as well as with increasing polymerization temperature. From the fractionation of polymer in methanol, it was found that the produced polymer is composed of both homopolymer of N-phenylethylenimine and copolymer of N-phenylethylenimine and carbon dioxide. The content of the urethane linkage of the copolymer thus fractionated was as high as about 80%.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(benzodithiophene) derivative for organic thin film transistors

Poly{2,6‐bis(3‐dodecylthiophen‐2‐yl) benzo[1,2‐b;4,5‐b′]dithiophene} (PTBT) was synthesized, via oxidative polymerization by oxidative agent (FeCl₃). The mole ratio of FeCl₃ and monomer (3.5:1), and keeping low temperature during the dropping of diluted catalyst were very important for the polymerization without crosslinking. The PTBT was confirmed by ¹H NMR, FTIR spectra, and elemental analysis. The PTBT has very good solubility in organic solvents such as chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, etc, and good thermal stability with T_g of 164 °C. The PTBT shows UV‐optical absorption at 406 nm and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy at 504 nm in a film. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy of the polymer is ?5.71 eV by measuring cyclic voltammetry (CV). A solution‐processed polymer thin film transistor device shows a mobility of 3 × 10^?5 – 8 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1, and an on/off current ratio of 10⁴. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5277–5284, 2007     

Living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene with a new initiating system: DCDPS/FeCl3/PPh3

The living/controlled radical polymerization of styrene was investigated with a new initiating system, DCDPS/FeCl₃/PPh₃, in which diethyl 2,3‐dicyano‐2,3‐diphenylsuccinate (DCDPS) was a hexa‐substituted ethane thermal iniferter. The polymerization mechanism belonged to a reverse atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) process. The polymerization was controlled closely in bulk (at 100 °C) or in solution (at 110 °C) with a high molecular weight and quite narrow polydispersity (M_w/M_n = 1.18 ∼ 1.28). End‐group analysis results by ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed that the polymer was ω‐functionalized by a chlorine atom, which also was confirmed by the result of a chain‐extension reaction in the presence of a FeCl₂/PPh₃ or CuCl/bipy (2,2′‐bipyridine) catalyst via a conventional ATRP process. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 101–107, 2000     

Influence of monomer structure on chemo- and stereoselectivity of 1,3-diene polymerization

MAO/CpTiCl₃ is an active catalyst for the polymerization of various types of 1,3-dienes. Butadiene, (E) - and (Z) −1,3-pentadiene, (E) −2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene yield, at room temperature, polymers with a cis-1,4 or a mixed cis/1,2 structure. 4-Methyl-1,3-pentadiene and (E,E) −2,4-hexadiene give, respectively, a 1,2 syndiotactic and a trans-1,4/1,2 polymer. MAO/CpTiCl₂·2THF and MAO/(CpTiCl₂)_n are less active than the CpTiCl₃ catalyst, but give the same type of polymers. A change of stereospecificity with temperature was observed in the polymerization of (Z)-1,3-pentadiene: a cis-1,4 isotactic polymer was obtained at +20°C, and a crystalline 1,2 syndiotactic polymer at −20°C. This effect was attributed to a different mode of coordination of the monomer, which is cis-η⁴ at +20°C and may be trans-η² at −20°C. Results obtained with catalysts from CpTi(OBu)₃ and Ti(OBu)₄ are reported for comparison. An interpretation is given of the formation of cis-1,4 isotactic poly(2-methylpentadiene) and of 1,2 syndiotactic poly(4-methylpentadiene), as well as of syndiotactic polystyrene.     

Two interpenetrating 3D MOFs constructed by bis(imidazole) and V-shape carboxylate co-ligands: synthesis,structure, gas adsorption and photoluminescent properties

Two 3-D MOFs, {[Co₂(oba)₂(bmip)]·DMA}_n (1) and [Cd(1,3-bdc)(bmip)]_n (2), where H₂oba = 4,4′-oxybis(benzoic acid), 1,3-bdc = isophthalic acid and bmip = 1,3-bis(2-methylimidazolyl)propane, were synthesized under solvothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder XRD, FT-IR, TGA, and elemental analysis. Complex 1 features a 3-D→3-D twofold interpenetrating framework, and topological analysis shows the framework can be described as a 6-connected uninodal pcu net having the point symbol (4¹².6³). Complex 2 shows a 3-D→3-D threefold interpenetrating network that can be described as a 4-connected uninodal cds net with (6⁵.8) topology. Gas adsorptions of 1 were carried out, and photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated at room temperature.     

Synthesis and Cation-Binding Properties of (1→6)-2,5-Anhydro-D-glucitol with 3,4-Di-O-Pentyl and Decyl Groups by Cyclopolymerization of 1,2:5,6-Dianhydro-D-mannitols

Abstract

The cyclopolymerizations of 1,2:5,6-dianhydro-3,4-di-O-pentyl-D-mannitol (1b) and 1,2:5,6-dianhydro-3,4-di-O-decyl-D-mannitol (1c) were carried out using BF₃OEt₂ and t-BuOK. All the resulting polymers consisted of cyclic constitutional units, i.e., the extent of cyclization was 100%. The polymer structures for the polymerization with t-BuOK were (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-pentyl-D-glucitol (2b) and (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-decyl-D-glucitol (2c), whereas those with BF₃O-decyl₂ comprised 2,5-anhydro-D-glucitols as major units along with other cyclic ones. These polymers were soluble in n-hexane, CHCl₃, and THF, but insoluble in water, which differs from the amphiphilic solubility of (1→6)-2,5-anhydro-3,4-di-O-methyl-D-glucitol (2a). The cation-binding properties of 2b and 2c were examined using alkali-metal picrates in order to compare them with those of 2a. The extraction yields for each cation decreased in the order of 2c < 2b < 2a. Every polymer exhibited a similar cation-binding selectivity in the order Cs⁺ > Rb⁺ > K⁺ ? Na⁺ > Li⁺. The ratio of K⁺ and Na⁺, K⁺/Na⁺, was 4.6 for 2a, 5.1 for 2b, and 7.1 for 2c in the increasing order 2a < 2b > 2c.     

Molecular weight distribution and thermal characterization of polydimethylsilmethylene

1,1,3,3-Tetramethyl-1,3-disilacyclobutane (I) was polymerized under the following conditions with H₂PtCl₆·6H₂O as catalyst: (a) addition of I dropwise to a large excess of catalyst at room temperature, producing [(CH₃)₃SiCH₂(CH₃)₂Si]₂O in 90% yield; (b) polymerization at room temperature in the presence of 10% water with 23 ppm Pt, yielding 9% conversion to low molecular weight polymer after 4 weeks; (c) polymerization in an open vessel (25°C., 7 ppm Pt, M?_n = 1.2 × 10⁵), a closed vessel (100°C., 28 ppm Pt, M?_n = 1.7 × 10⁵), in a closed tube after twice freezing and evacuating (25°C., 23 ppm Pt, M?_n = 2.9 × 10⁵); (d) polymerization in an oxygen atmosphere (25°C., 17 ppm Pt, M?_n = 2.7 × 10⁵). The molecular weight distributions of the polymers with M?_n = 1.2 × 10⁵ and 1.7 × 10⁵ was studied by gel-permeation chromatography. Ratios of M?_w/M?_n are 3.1 and 2.7, respectively. In both cases a long tail of high molecular weight polymer is evident. Interpretation of the molecular weight distributions is qualitatively discussed on the basis of a postulated seven-step mechanism. Water is shown to be a source of chain termination. Evidence is presented for the existance of ?SiOSi? and ?SiOH in the silmethylene polymers. Negligible cyclization occurs. Orders of thermal stability measured by DTA and TGA for polydimethylsilmethylene (A), polydimethylsiloxane (B), and polysiobutylene (C) are: in He, A > B > C; in air, in air, B > C ? A. A fractionally precipitated polydimethylsilmethylene had a weight loss of less than 5% by 600°C. by TGA analysis at 10°C./min. in He.     

Potassium and sodium 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxides and their properties

The crucial factor of the reaction of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with alkali hydroxides is temperature, depending on which two types of potassium or sodium 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxides are formed. These types exhibit different catalytic activity in the alkylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with methyl acrylate. More active forms of 2,6-Bu^t ₂C₆H₃OK or 2,6-Bu^t ₂C₆H₃ONa are synthesized at temperatures higher than 160 °C and are predominantly the monomers, which dimerize on cooling. The data of ¹H NMR, electronic, and IR spectra for the corresponding forms of 2,6-Bu^t ₂C₆H₃OK and 2,6-Bu^t ₂C₆H₃ONa isolated in the individual state are in agreement with cyclohexadienone structure. In DMSO or DMF, the dimeric forms of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxides react with methyl acrylate to form methyl 3-(4-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)propionate in 64–92% yield. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2138–2143, December, 2006.     

Novel triarylamine‐based alternating conjugated polymer with high hole mobility: Synthesis,electro‐optical,and electronic properties

Novel bi‐triphenylamine‐containing aromatic dibromide M3 , N,N‐bis(4‐bromophenyl)‐N′,N′‐dipheny‐l,4‐phenylenediamine, was successfully synthesized. The novel conjugated polymer P1 having number‐average molecular weight of 1.31 × 10⁴ was prepared via Suzuki coupling from the dibromide M3 and 9,9‐dioctylfluorene‐2,7‐diboronic acid bis(1,3‐propanediol) ester. Polymer P1 had excellent thermal stability associated with a high glass‐transition temperature (T_g = 141 °C). The hole‐transporting and UV‐vis‐near‐infrared electrochromic properties were examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. Cyclic voltammograms of the conjugated polymer films cast onto indium‐tin oxide‐coated glass substrates exhibited two reversible oxidation redox couples at E_1/2 values of 0.73 and 1.13 V versus Ag/Ag⁺ in acetonitrile solution. The hole mobility of the conjugated polymer P1 revealed ～10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1, which is much higher than that of other conjugated polymer systems. The observed UV‐vis‐near‐infrared absorption change in the conjugated polymer film P1 at applied potentials ranging from 0.00 to 1.23 V are fully reversible and associated with strong color changes from pale yellowish in its neutral form to green and blue in its oxidized form. Using a combination of experimental study and theoretical investigation, we proposed an oxidation mechanism based on molecular orbital theory, which explains the cyclic voltammetry experimental results well. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010     

离子液体存在下脂肪醛的环化三聚反应

Aliphatic aldehydes such as ethanal,propanal,n-butanal,isobutyraldehyde,n-valeraldehyde,isovaleraldehyde,n-hexanal and n-octanal were converted into the corresponding 2,4,6-trialkyl-1,3,5-trioxanes through cyclotrimer-ization in the presence of the ferric chloride based ionic liquids at room temperature without solvent in high selec-tivity.The effects of different ionic liquids,acidity of ionic liquids and temperature on cyclotrimerization were alsostudied.The results showed that the ferric chloride based ionic liquids(apparent molar fraction of FeCl_3(x(FeCl_3)=0.62))were a kind of efficient catalysts for the cyclotrimerization of aliphatic aldehyde which could be separatedconveniently from the reaction mixture and recycled without loss of catalytic activity.The conversion of isobu-tyraldehyde and the selectivity to 2,4,6-triisopropyl-1,3,5-trioxane were 91.1% and 99.8% respectively under opti-mum reaction condition(isobutyraldehyde 25.0 g,[Et_3NH]Cl/FeCl_3(x(FeCl_3)=0.62)1.0 g,25 ℃for 1 h).     

Synthesis, characterization and thermal behavior of 1,1-dialkyl-3-(4-(3,3-dialkylthioureidocarbonyl)-benzoyl)thiourea and its Cu(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes

We report the synthesis, characterization, and thermal behavior of 1,1-diethyl-3-(4-(3,3-diethylthioureidocarbonyl)benzoyl)thiourea, 1,1-di-n-propyl-3-(4-(3,3-di-n-propylthioureido carbonyl)benzoyl)thiourea and 1,1-di-n-butyl-3-(4-(3,3-di-n-butylthioureidocarbonyl)benzoyl)thiourea and their Ni(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) complexes. The structure of the prepared compounds was determined by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The ligands are coordinated to metal atoms in a bidentate manner yielding an essentially neutral complex of the type M₃L₃. Thermal decomposition of related compounds was investigated by DTA and TG techniques. The pyrolytic end product was identified by X-ray powder diffraction method. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Polymerization of [o-(trimethylgermyl)phenyl] acetylene and polymer characterization

[o-(Trimethylgermyl)phenyl]acetylene was polymerized in the presence of WCl₆, W(CO)₆-hv, etc., to give polymers whose weight-average molecular weights reached ca. 7.0 X 10⁵ at the highest. When the MoOCl₄-n-Bu₄Sn-EtOH (1 : 1 : 1) catalyst was used, the polydispersity ratio of the polymer obtained was 1.08, and the number-average molecular weight increased in direct proportion to monomer conversion; these indicate that this polymerization is a living polymerization. The polymer had the structure ? [CH?C(C₆H₄-o-GeMe₃)]_n ? and was a dark purple solid (λ_max = 551 nm, ε_max = 6100 M^-1 cm^-1 in THF) soluble in organic solvents such as toluene and chloroform. The onset temperature of weight loss of the polymer in TGA in air was ca. 230°C, and the glass transition temperature was above 180°C. The Po₂ of the present polymer is 105 barrers—larger than the value of natural rubber and fairly close to that of poly(dimethylsiloxane). © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.