Liquid crystalline polymers containing heterocycloalkane mesogens. 2. Side-chain liquid crystalline polysiloxanes containing 2,5-disubstituted-1,3-dioxane mesogens

Polysiloxanes and copolysiloxanes containing 2-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxane and 5-(p-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dioxan-2-yl as mesogenic units and an aliphatic spacer containing 11 and 10 methylene units, respectively, were synthesized. Their phase behavior was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarization microscopy, and compared with the phase behavior of the polysiloxanes and copolysiloxanes containing 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxybiphenyl and 4-cyano-4′-hydroxybiphenyl mesogens attached to the polymer backbone through an aliphatic spacer containing 11 methylene units. All synthesized polymers present smectic mesomorphism. The polymers containing 4-methoxy-4′-hydroxybiphenyl and 4-cyano-4′-hydroxybiphenyl are also crystalline, while the polymers containing 1,3-dioxane based mesogens do not crystallize.     

COMPARED PROPERTIES OF FLUORINATED HETEROCYCLIC COPOLYIMIDES

Various new fluorinated heterocyclic copolyimides have been synthesized by a polycondensation reaction of a diacid chloride containing imide, hexafluoroisopropylidene and methylene groups with aromatic or heteroaromatic diamines containing preformed phenylquinoxaline or 1,3,4-oxadiazole rings. Other fluorinated heterocyclic copolyimides have been prepared by a polycondensation reaction of the same diacid chloride with aromatic dihydrazides, bis(o-hydroxy-amine)s or a bis(o-carboxy-amine), resulting in intermediate polyhydrazides, poly(o-hydroxy-amide)s or poly(o-carboxy-amide), respectively, which were futher cyclodehydrated to the corresponding polyoxadia zole-imide, polybenzoxazole-imide or polybenzoxazinone-imide structure. These polymers showed good solubility in polar amidic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) and dimethylformamide (DMF), and even in less polar liquids, like tetrahydrofurane or pyridine, except for those compounds containing benzoxazole rings which were less soluble, only on heating in NMP or DMF. The weight average molecular weight measured for tetrahydrofurane-fully-soluble polymers are in the range of 12800–26700 and the polydispersity is in the range of 2–5. All these polymers exhibited good thermal stability, with decomposition temperature being above 350°C, although somewhat lower than that of related polymers prepared by using fully aromatic diacid chlorides instead of the present ones containing methylene units. The glass transition temperature is in the range of 200–300°C. The dielectric constant measured for polymer films is in the range of 3.3–3.7. Tensile strength is in the range of 35–70 MPa, elongation to break between 30–40% and tensile modulus in the range of 170–330 MPa. A study of the relation between conformational parameters and properties of some of these polymers has been carried out by using the Monte Carlo method with an allowance for hindered rotation, and the values were compared with the experimental data and discussed in relation with the rigidity of the chains. The present polymers are potential candidates for use as high performance materials.     

New poly(amide-imide)s syntheses. VIII. Preparation and properties of poly (amide-imide)s derived from 2,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy)naphthalene,trimellitic anhydride,and various aromatic diamines

The new polymer-forming diimide-diacid, 2,3-bis(4-trimellitimidophenoxy) naphthalene (I), was readily obtained by the condensation reaction of 2,3-bis (4-aminophenoxy) naphthalene with trimellitic anhydride. A series of novel aromatic poly (amide-imide)s were prepared by the direct polycondensation of diimide-diacid I with various aromatic diamines using triphenyl phosphite in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP)/pyridine solution containing dissolved calcium chloride. The resultant polymers have inherent viscosities in the range of 0.65–1.02 dL/g at 30°C in N, N-dimethylacetamide. These polymers were readily soluble in various organic solvents and could be cast into transparent, tough, and flexible films. Their casting films showed tensile strength at break up to 86 MPa, elongation to break of 5–9%, and initial moduli up to 2.35 GPa. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that those polymers containing p-phenylene or p-oxyphenylene group are partially crystalline, and the other polymers are evidenced as amorphous patterns. These polymers show a glass transition in the range of 213–290°C in their differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) traces. The thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by thermogravimetry analysis, which showed the 10% weight-loss temperatures in the range of 508–565°C in nitrogen and 480–529°C in air atmosphere. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(arylene ether imide ketone)s

Poly(arylene ether ketone)s containing imide units were prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of the potassium salts of bisphenols with bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)phthalimides in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone at elevated temperature. The polymers having inherent viscosities of 0.34–0.77 dL/g were obtained in 2 h. The polymers exhibited glass transition temperatures ranging from 216 to 268°C and decomposition temperatures (5% weight loss under air atmosphere) ranging from 450–570°C mainly depending on the bisphenols used in the polymer synthesis. The isothermal TGA measurements (400°C under air or nitrogen atmosphere) revealed that the 4,4'-biphenol- and hydroquinone-based poly(arylene ether ketone imide)s belong to a superior class of heat resistant polymers. The mechanical properties of these polymers are also described. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Facile synthesis of ortho‐Phenylene‐based conjugated polymers through transformation of cross‐conjugated poly(2,3‐diaryl[2]dendralene)s and their optical properties

We studied the facile synthesis of ortho‐phenylene‐based conjugated polymers through transformation of cross‐conjugated polymers having [2]dendralene moiety, poly(2,3‐diaryl[2]dendralene)s ( P1 s), and demonstrated the sequential synthesis of (Z)‐alkene‐ and ortho‐arylene‐containing conjugated polymers from P1 s. P1 s were transformed into cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐containing conjugated polymers ( P2 s) through a Diels–Alder reaction. Aromatization of the cyclohexa‐1,4‐diene skeleton was achieved by using 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐1,4‐benzoquinone to give the ortho‐phenylene‐containing conjugated polymers ( P3 s). The ultraviolet–visible and fluorescence spectra of the cross‐conjugated polymers P1 s, and the conjugated polymers P2 s and P3 s indicated that the π–π interactions between the arylene moieties in P2 s were stronger than those in P1 s and P3 s. The synthetic method for P2 s and P3 s offers an effective synthesis of various types of (Z)‐alkene‐ and ortho‐arylene‐containing conjugated polymers. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 827–832     

Synthesis and properties of various poly(diarylacetylenes) containing siloxy and hydroxy groups

Diarylacetylene monomers ( 1b ? f) containing siloxy and either naphthyl, fluorenyl, or biphenyl groups were polymerized with TaCl₅–n‐Bu₄Sn catalyst, and 1b , 1c , and 1f provided high molecular weight polymers. Free‐standing membranes of polymers 2b , 2c , and 2f were fabricated by casting from toluene solution. Desilylation of these polymer membranes was carried out with trifluoroacetic acid to afford poly (diarylacetylenes) membranes having hydroxy groups ( 3b and 3c ). According to thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), both siloxy‐containing and hydroxy‐containing polymers exhibited high thermal stability, and the onset temperatures of weight loss in air were ～370 °C and ～430 °C, respectively. The CO₂ permeability coefficients of these membranes were in the range of 65–640 barrers. The points of 3b and 3c in the PCO₂ versus PCO₂/PCH₄ plot were located above Robeson's upper bound. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4487–4495, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorene‐based copolymers containing siloxane or distilbene moieties on their main chain

Two novel types of polyfluorene copolymers containing siloxane linkages or distilbene moieties on their main‐chains were synthesized by Ni(0)‐mediated Yamamoto coupling polymerization. These polymers, designated P2Silo05, P2Silo15, PF‐P02, and PF‐P05 were prepared by copolymerization between 2,7‐dibromo‐9,9′‐dihexylfluorene and bis(bromobenzene)‐terminated disiloxane monomer (for P2Silo05 and P2Silo15) or dibromodistilbene monomer (for PF‐P02 and PF‐P05). All of the polymers were highly soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform, toluene, and p‐xylene. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were between 92 and 113 °C, and the decomposition temperatures for a 5% weight loss (T_d) were above 420 °C for all of the polymers, demonstrating high thermal stability. The molecular weight (M_w) of the polymers ranged from 4.2 × 10⁴ to 8.8 × 10⁴. The blue shift of the maximum in the UV‐visible absorption was greater in polymers with a higher molar percentage of siloxane linkages or distilbene moieties than in homo poly (dihexylfluorene) (PDHF). However, the photoluminescence spectra of the polymers were similar to those of PDHF in terms of the onsets and patterns. Single‐layer light‐emitting diodes were fabricated with a configuration of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/polymers/Ca/Al. The maximum electroluminescence emission wavelengths of the polymers were 425–450 nm, corresponding to pure blue light. The CIE co‐ordinates of the polyfluorenes containing siloxane linkages or distilbene moieties ranged from (0.21, 0.21) to (0.17, 0.10), indicating deeper blue light than that of PDHF {CIE co‐ordinates of (0.25, 0.29)}, with P2Silo15 giving the deepest blue‐light {CIE co‐ordinates of (0.17, 0.10)}. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 1595–1608, 2009     

Polymerization of 5-Substituted Cyclooctenes with Tungsten and Molybdenum Catalysts

Polymerizations of cyclooctene, 5-methyl, 5-chloro-, and 5-methoxycyclooctenes were studied. Cyclooctene (CO) and 5-methylcyclooctene (MCO) provided high polymers in 80% yield with the use of WCl₆/AlEti._B Cl_u5 or WCl₆/AlEtCl₂ catalyst. 5-Chlorocyclooctene gave oligomer in 50% yield with WCl₆/AlEt₂Cl catalyst. Neither polymer nor oligomer was produced from 5-methoxycyclooctene. These polymers were found to be produced through a ring-opening mechanism. The ratio of cis to trans structure in poly(CO) and poly(MCO) was determined by measurements of the decoupled ′H-NMR spectrum. Poly(CO) containing more than 50% trans structure was a crystalline solid at room temperature, while the polymer containing 30% of trans structure did not crystallize at room temperature. Poly(MCO) was amorphous, regardless of the content of trans structure. Poly(CO) and poly(MCO) obtained with MoCU/AlEtaCl or MoCU/AlEtCb catalyst contained no carbon-carbon double bond, and a vinyl polymerization mechanism was expected for this system.     

Synthesis and properties of poly(phenylacetylenes) having two polar groups or one cyclic polar group on the phenyl ring

Phenylacetylene (PA) derivatives having two polar groups (ester, 2a – d ; amide, 4) or one cyclic polar group (imide, 5a – c ) were polymerized using (nbd)Rh⁺[(η⁶‐C₆H₅)B^?(C₆H₅)₃] catalyst to afford high molecular weight polymers (～1 × 10⁶ – 4 × 10⁶). The hydrolysis of ester‐containing poly(PA), poly( 2a) , provided poly(3,4‐dicarboxyPA) [poly ( 3 )], which could not be obtained directly by the polymerization of the corresponding monomer. The solubility properties of the present polymers were different from those of poly(PA) having no polar group; that is, poly( 2a )–poly( 2d ) dissolved in ethyl acetate and poly( 4 ) dissolved in N,N‐dimethylformamide, while poly(PA) was insoluble in such solvents. Ester‐group‐containing polymers [poly( 2a )–poly( 2d )] afforded free‐standing membranes by casting from THF solutions. The membrane of poly( 2a ) showed high carbon dioxide permselectivity against nitrogen (PCO₂/PN₂ = 62). © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 5943–5953, 2006     

New liquid‐crystalline poly(ester amide)s: The role of nitro groups in the phase behavior

New hydrogen‐bonded liquid‐crystalline poly(ester amide)s (PEA)s were obtained from 1,4‐terephthaloyl[bis‐(3‐nitro‐N‐anthranilic acid)] (5) or 1,4‐terephthaloyl[bis‐(N‐anthranilic acid)] (6), with or without nitro groups, respectively, through the separate condensation of each with hydroquinone or dihydroxynaphthalene. The dicarboxylic monomers were synthesized from 2‐aminobenzoic acid. The phase behavior of the monomers and polymers were studied with differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy, and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction methods. Monomer 5, containing nitro groups, exhibited a smectic liquid‐crystalline phase, whereas the texture of monomer 6 without nitro groups appeared to be nematic. The PEAs containing nitro groups exhibited polymorphism (smectic and nematic), whereas those without nitro groups exhibited only one phase transition (a nematic threaded texture). The changes occurring in the phase behavior of the polymers were explained by the introduction of nitro groups. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1289–1298, 2004     

Synthesis of optically active conjugated polymers containing platinum in the main chain: Control of the higher‐order structures by substituents and solvents

The Sonogashira–Hagihara coupling polymerization of d ‐hydroxyphenylglycine‐derived diiodo monomers 1–4 and platinum‐containing diethynyl monomer 5 gave the corresponding polymers [poly( 1–5 )–( 2–5 )] with number‐average molecular weights of 19,000–25,000 quantitatively. The polymers were soluble in CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, THF, and DMF. CD and UV–vis spectroscopic analysis revealed that amide‐substituted polymers [poly( 1–5 ) and poly( 2–5 )] formed chiral higher‐order structures in solution, while ester‐substituted polymers [poly( 3–5 ) and poly( 4–5 )] did not. Poly( 1–5 ) formed one‐handed helices in THF/toluene mixtures, while it formed chiral aggregates in THF/MeOH mixtures. Poly( 1–5 ) emitted fluorescence with quantum yields ranging from 0.8 to 1.3%. The polymers usually aggregated in the solid state. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 2452–2461     

Synthesis of ionic polymers by free radical polymerization using aprotic trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted monomers

Aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl-substituted imidazolium structures are synthesized using free radical polymerization of monomers comprising a vinyl group either at the cation or at the anion. Bulk polymerization is used for the room temperature ionic liquid monomer 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-vinylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. In contrast to this, solution polymerization is applied for 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium p-styrene sulfonate because this monomer undergoes self-polymerization during melting at a higher temperature than selected for bulk polymerization. Glass transition temperature (T _g) of the ionic polymers and intrinsic viscosity measurements indicate differences between these polymers, which are composed either of a polycation with a trimethylsilylmethyl substituent at each vinylimidazolium segment of the polymer chain and mobile bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (NTf₂⁻) anions or a polyanion containing p-styrene sulfonate segments and mobile 1-trimethylsilylmethyl-3-methylimidazolium cations. The new aprotic ionic polymers containing trimethylsilylmethyl substituents may be interesting for application in adhesive, interlayer and membrane manufacturing.     

Preparation of polymers containing the 1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione structure and their application to the activation of N-protected α-amino acids

Two new monomers with pendent 1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione structures were prepared. Homopolymerization of 2-isopropenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione (V) and copolymerization with styrene (M₁)(r₁ = 0.02, r₂ = 1.56, Q = 4.12, e = 1.06) were examined. Further, 2-(4-methacryloylaminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione (VIII) having a phenylcarbamoyl group between the isopropenyl and 1,3,4-oxadiazoline-5-thione ring as a spacer was also synthesized and polymerized. The resultant polymers were allowed to react with N-protected α-amino acids such as Z-AlaOH, Z-LeuOH and Z-PheOH by the DCC method. The polymers containing amino acids thus obtained were reacted with ethyl glycinate to give the corresponding dipeptides in excellent yields without racemization.     

Synthesis and photochemical properties of solar energy storage-exchange polymers containing pendant norbornadiene moieties

New photoresponsive polymers 1–4 containing pendant norbornadiene (NBD) moieties with N,N-disubstituted amide groups were synthesized with 97, 98, 92, and 94% conversions by the substitution reaction of poly (p-chloromethyl) styrene] with potassium salts of 3piperidyloxo-2,5-NBD-2-carboxylic acid, 3-(NN-dipropylcarbamoyl) -2,5-NBD-2-carboxylic acid, 3-(N-methyl-N-phenylcarbamoyl)-2,5-NBD-2-carboxylic acid, and 3-(N,N-dipheylcarbmoyl)-2,5-NBD-2-carboxylic acid, respectively, using tetrabutylammonium bromide as a phase transfer catalyst for all. Polymers 1–4 with N,N-disubstituted amide groups on the NBD moieties were sensitized by adding appropriate photosensitizers such as Michler's ketone and 4- (N,N-dimethylamino) benzophenone in the film state, although the reactivities of the polymers without photosensitizer were lower than that of our previously reported polymer 5 containing pendant 3- (N-phenylcarbamoyl) -2,5-NBD-2-carboxylate moiety. It was also found that the photo-irradiated retaining polymers 1–4 containing the corresponding QC moieties can be stored about 80–86 kJ/mol of their thermal energy. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis and properties of polymers containing sprio(indoline-isoxazoline)

Polymers containing spiro(indoline-isoxazoline) nuclei were prepared by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of N,N′-alkylene-bis-3,3-dimethyl-2-methyleneindolines with bis-hydroxamic chlorides. Irradiation of the polymers with UV in solution resulted in novel skeletal rearrangements and resulted in polymers containing benzo-1,5-diazocine-2-one nuclei. Photoconductivities of the polymers were also studied.     

Preparation of α,ω‐telechelic hexyl acrylate polymers with ?OH, ?COOH,and ?NH2 functional groups by RAFT

The design, synthesis, and use of two new, stable, functionalized chain transfer agents (CTA's) containing OH and amine end groups for the RAFT polymerization is reported: 2‐hydroxyethoxy‐carbonylphenylmethyl dithiobenzoate and 2‐(2‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)ethylamino)‐2‐oxo‐1‐phenylethyl benzodithioate, respectively. The RAFT polymerization of n‐hexyl acrylate (HA) using those CTA's, were compared to several other functionalized dithiobenzoate esters reported in the literature containing COOH and Ester groups. The performances of the dithiobenzoates were compared in terms of kinetics and molecular weight distribution control. Good control in polymerization of n‐hexyl acrylate with a linear increase of M_n with conversion mantaining polydispersity indices (PDI) below 1.1 was obtained by use of the new functionalized CTA's developed and also by use of some other CTA's tested, to produce well‐defined linear polymers with one specific chain‐end functionality: ? OH, ? COOH or Amine. Using a postpolymerization reaction with functionalized azocompounds in a 5 to 1 ratio, α,ω‐telechelic polymers, with ? OH or ? COOH as functional group at the second end were obtained. By using this synthetic strategy α,ω‐homotelechelic and heterotelechelic polymers were readily prepared. The chemical availability of functional end‐groups in the telechelics was demonstrated by reaction with methacrylic anhydride. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3033–3051, 2010     

Photochromic chiral liquid crystalline systems containing spiro-oxazine with a chiral substituent I. Synthesis and characterization of compounds

Photochromic acrylates containing both biphenylene and spiro-oxazine moieties with a chiral substituent and the related polymers were prepared and yielded photochromic chiral liquid crystalline systems. The photochromic acrylates containing both an undecamethylene group and a (2S, 3S)-2-chloro-3-methylpentanoyloxy group (A11SOP) or a (-)-menthoxyacetoxy group (A11SOM) gave a supercooled mesophase; the latter reflected right-handed visible light (blue colour) at room temperature. On the other hand, the photochromic acrylate containing both the (R)-(-)-2-methylpropylene and (2S, 3S)-2-chloro-3-methylpentanoyloxy groups (A3SOP) showed no mesophase. The related homopolymers, PA11SOP and PA11SOM, did not exhibit mesophases because of steric hindrance between the side groups of the polymers. However, only PA11SOM exhibited shear-induced birefringence under 100-104°C. Several copolymers consisting of the nematogenic monomer, 4-[4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy)benzoyloxy]benzonitrile (A6CN), and A11SOP or A11SOM possessed a smectic phase due to reduction of the steric hindrance between the potentially smectogenic A11SOP or A11SOM moieties.     

Synthesis and applications of polymers containing metallacyclopentadiene moieties in the main chain

Organometallic polymers containing metallacycles in the main chain were prepared by the reactions of diynes with low-valent organometallic complexes such as CpCo(PPh₃)₂, CP₂Ti(CH₂=CHC₂H₅), and (ⁱPrO)₂Ti(CH₂=CHCH₃). Their polymer reactions involving the conversion of the main chain structures gave rise to polymers containing functional groups in their main chain repeating units. Design and synthesis of organometallic polymers that potentially serve as novel functional materials are also described.     

Syntheses and Optical Properties of Perfluorophenyl Containing Benzimidazole Derivatives: The Effect of Donor Units

Synthesis of two novel donor – acceptor – donor type monomers containing benzimidazole as the acceptor unit and thiophene and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) as the donor units were performed. 2-(Perfluorophenyl)-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole and 4,7-bis(2,3-dihydrothieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-2-(perfluorophenyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole were synthesized successfully and polymerized electrochemically. The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies of the polymers were studied. The effect of electron donating moieties on the optical properties of electrochemically polymerized polymers was investigated. Both polymers were p type dopable and possessed multi-chromic property. Optical studies demonstrated that the polymer based on EDOT unit (P2) resulted in lower band gap since EDOT is higher electron donating group than thiophene.     

Helical polyacetylenes carrying 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy and 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐pyrrolidinyloxy moieties: Their synthesis,properties, and function

2,2,6,6‐Tetramethyl‐1‐piperidinyloxy (TEMPO)‐ and 2,2,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1‐pyrrolidinyloxy (PROXYL)‐containing (R)‐1‐methylpropargyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 1 ), (R)‐1‐methylpropargyl PROXYL‐3‐carboxylate ( 2 ), (rac)‐1‐methylpropargyl PROXYL‐3‐carboxylate ( 3 ), (S)‐1‐propargylcarbamoylethyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 4 ), and (S)‐1‐propargyloxycarbonylethyl TEMPO‐4‐carboxylate ( 5 ) (TEMPO, PROXYL) were polymerized to afford novel polymers containing the TEMPO and PROXYL radicals at high densities. Monomers 1–3 and 5 provided polymers with moderate number‐average molecular weights of 8200–140,900 in 49–97% yields in the presence of (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶‐C₆H₅B^?(C₆H₅)₃], whereas 4 gave no polymer with this catalyst but gave polymers possessing low M_n (3800–7500) in 56–61% yield with [(nbd)RhCl]₂‐Et₃N. Poly( 1 ), poly( 2 ), and poly( 4 ) took a helical structure with predominantly one‐handed screw sense in THF and CHCl₃ as well as in film state. The helical structure of poly( 1 ) and poly( 2 ) was stable upon heating and addition of MeOH, whereas poly( 4 ) was responsive to heat and solvents. All of the free radical‐containing polymers displayed the reversible charge/discharge processes, whose capacities were in a range of 43.2–112 A h/kg. In particular, the capacities of poly( 2 )–poly( 5 )‐based cells reached about 90–100% of the theoretical values regardless of the secondary structure of the polymer, helix and random. Poly( 1 ), poly( 2 ), and poly( 4 ) taking a helical structure exhibited better capacity tolerance towards the increase of current density than nonhelical poly( 3 ) and poly( 5 ) did. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 5431–5445, 2007