Nearly monochromatic red electroluminescence from a nonconjugated polymer containing carbazole segments and phenanthroline [Eu(β‐diketonate)3] moieties

A novel nonconjugated copolymer (PVKEu) with carbazole segments and phenanthroline [Eu(β‐diketonate)₃] moieties was synthesized via free radical copolymerization, and characterized by FTIR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, GPC, ICP, and elemental analysis. The copolymer exhibited good solubility, as well as good thermal stability and high glass transition temperature. The photoluminescence (PL) of this polymer in solution and in solid film has been studied. A multi‐layer device with the configuration of ITO/PEDOT: PSS (40 nm)/PVKEu (70 nm)/BCP (15 nm)/AlQ₃ (30 nm)/LiF/Al exhibited nearly monochromatic red emission at 615 nm and voltage‐independent spectral stability. Our results suggest that enhancing the ligand‐mediated energy transfer between the matrix polymer and europium complex is a potential method to improve the electroluminescence performance of the Eu‐chelated polymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 210–221, 2009     

Effects of Zinc(II) on the Luminescence of Europium(III) in Complexes Containing β‐Diketone and Schiff Bases

The UV, excitation, and luminescence spectra of tris(pivaloyltrifluoroacetonato)europium(III) ([Eu(pta)₃]; Hpta=1,1,1‐trifluoro‐5,5‐dimethylhexane‐2,4‐dione=HA) were measured in the presence of bis(salicylidene)trimethylenediamine (H₂saltn), bis[5‐(tert‐butyl)salicylidene]trimethylenediamine (H₂(^tBu)saltn), or bis(salicylidene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diyldiamine (H₂salchn), and the corresponding Zn^II complexes [ZnB] (B=Schiff base). The excitation and luminescence spectra of the solution containing [Eu(pta)₃] and [Zn(salchn)] exhibited much stronger intensities than those of solutions containing the other [ZnB] complexes. The introduction of a ^tBu group into the Schiff base was not effective in sensitizing the luminescence of [Eu(pta)₃]. The luminescence spectrum of [ZnB] showed a band around 450 nm. The intensity decreased in the presence of [Eu(pta)₃], reflecting complexation between [Eu(pta)₃] and [ZnB]. On the basis of the change in intensity against the concentration of [ZnB], stability constants were determined for [Eu(pta)₃Zn(saltn)], [Eu(pta)₃Zn{(^tBu)saltn}], and [Eu(pta)₃Zn(salchn)] as 4.13, 4.9 and 5.56, respectively (log , where =[[Eu(pta)₃ZnB]]([[Eu(pta)₃]][[ZnB]])^?1). The quantum yields of these binuclear complexes were determined as 0.15, 0.11, and 0.035, although [Eu(pta)₃Zn(salchn)] revealed the strongest luminescence at 613 nm. The results of X‐ray diffraction analysis for [Eu(pta)₃Zn(saltn)] showed that Zn^II had a coordination number of five and was bridged with Eu^III by three donor O‐atoms, i.e., two from the salicylidene moieties and one from the ketonato group pta.     

Preparation of linear α‐olefins to high‐molecular weight polyethylenes using cationic α‐diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro‐substituted ligands

A series of α‐diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro‐substituted ligands, [(Ar)N?C(C₁₀H₆)C?N(Ar)]NiBr₂ ( 4a , Ar = 2,3‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4b , Ar = 2,4‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4c , Ar = 2,5‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4d , Ar = 2,6‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 4e , Ar = 2,4,6‐C₆H₂Cl₃) and [(Ar)N?C(C₁₀H₆)C?N(Ar)]₂NiBr₂ ( 5a , Ar = 2,3‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 5b , Ar = 2,4‐C₆H₃Cl₂; 5c , Ar = 2,5‐C₆H₃Cl₂), have been synthesized and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes are highly effective catalysts for the oligomerization or polymerization of ethylene under mild conditions. The catalyst activity and the properties of the products were strongly affected by the aryl‐substituents of the ligands used. Depending on the catalyst structure, it is possible to obtain the products ranging from linear α‐olefins to high‐molecular weight polyethylenes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1964–1974, 2006     

Copolymerization of norbornene and 5‐norbornene‐2‐yl acetate using novel bis(β‐ketonaphthylamino)Ni(II)/B(C6F5)3/AlEt3 catalytic system

Vinyl‐type copolymerization of norbornene (NBE) and 5‐NBE‐2‐yl‐acetate (NBE‐OCOMe) in toluene were investigated using a novel homogeneous catalyst system based on bis(β‐ketonaphthylamino)Ni(II)/B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃. The copolymerization behavior as well as the copolymerization conditions, such as the levels of B(C₆F₅)₃ and AlEt₃, temperature, and monomer feed ratios, which influence on the copolymerization were examined. Without combination of AlEt₃, the catalytic bis(β‐ketonaphthylamino)Ni(II)/B(C₆F₅)₃ exhibited very high catalyst activity for polymerization of NBE. Combination of AlEt₃ in catalyst system resulted in low conversion for polymerization of NBE. For copolymerization of NBE and NBE‐OCOMe, involvement of AlEt₃ in catalyst is necessary. Slight addition of NBE‐OCOMe in copolymerization of NBE and NBE‐OCOMe gives rise to significant increase of catalyst activity for catalytic system bis(β‐ketonaphthylamino)Ni(II)/B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃. Nevertheless, excess increase of the NBE‐OCOMe content in the comonomer feed ratios results in decrease of conversion as well as activity of catalyst. The achieved copolymers were confirmed to be vinyl‐addition copolymers through the analysis of FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra. ¹³C NMR studies further revealed the composition of the copolymer and the incorporation rate was 7.6–54.1 mol % ester units at a content of 30–90 mol % of the NBE‐OCOMe in the monomer feeds ratios. TGA analysis results showed that the copolymer exhibited good thermal stability (T_d > 410 °C) and failed to observe the glass transitions temperature over 300 °C. The copolymers are confirmed to be noncrystalline by WAXD analysis results and show good solubility in common organic solvents. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3990–4000, 2009     

Oxidation of sec‐alcohols with Ru(II)‐bearing microgel star polymer catalysts via hydrogen transfer reaction: Unique microgel‐core catalysis

Oxidation of sec‐alcohols was investigated with ruthenium‐bearing microgel core star polymer catalysts [Ru(II)‐Star]. The star polymer catalysts were directly prepared via RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃‐catalyzed living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), followed by the arm‐linking reaction with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate ( 1 ) in the presence of diphenylphosphinostyrene ( 2 ). The Ru(II)‐Star efficiently and homogeneously catalyzed the oxidation of 1‐phenylethanol ( S1 ) to give a corresponding ketone (acetophenone) in higher yield (92%) than the analogs of polymer‐supported ruthenium complexes. Importantly, the star catalyst afforded high recycling efficiency in the oxidation. They held catalytic activity against three times catalysis even though they were recovered under air‐exposure, whereas the conventional RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ lost the activity for same recycling procedure due to the deactivation by oxygen. The stability of the star catalysts during the recycle experiment was confirmed by detailed spectroscopic characterization. The star polymers also catalyzed oxidation for a wide range of sec‐alcohols with aromatic and aliphatic groups. The substrate affinity was different from that with RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃, suggesting the unique selectivity caused by the specific structure. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

The Synthesis of (η3‐C3H5)Pd{Si[N(tBu)CH]2}Cl and the Catalytic Property for Heck Reaction

Treatment of N‐heterocyclic silylene Si[N(^tBu)CH]₂ ( 1 ) and [(η³‐C₃H₅)PdCl]₂ in toluene led to the formation of the mononuclear complex (η³‐C₃H₅)Pd{Si[N(^tBu)CH]₂}Cl ( 3 ), the silicon analogue to N‐heterocyclic carbene complex (η³‐C₃H₅)Pd{C[N(^tBu)CH]₂}Cl ( 2 ). Complex 3 was characterized with ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. Investigation shows that (η³‐C₃H₅)Pd{Si[N(^tBu)CH]₂}Cl is an active catalyst for Heck coupling reaction of styrene with aryl bromides.     

Degradation of poly(β‐amino ester) gels in alcohols through transesterification: Method to conjugate drugs to polymer matrices

Poly(β amino ester) (PβAE) polymers have received growing attention in the literature, owing to their ease of synthesis, versatile co‐monomer selection, and highly tunable degradation kinetics. As such, they have shown extensive potential in many biomedical applications as well. In this work, it is demonstrated for the first time that PβAE polymers containing primary and secondary amine groups can undergo degradation by primary alcohols via transesterification mechanism. While this work emphasizes an important aspect of solvent compatibility of these networks, it also represents an interesting, simple mechanism for post synthesis drug incorporation, with riboflavin conjugation being demonstrated as a model compound. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2019–2026     

New studies on the apparent allyl rotation in scorpion-like palladium complexes. The influence of non-directly bonded groups. X-ray molecular structures of [Pd(η-2-Me-C3H4)L]TfO, L=bpzmArOMe and bpz*mCy

New cationic 2-Me-allylpalladium complexes were prepared with the N,N-donor chelate ligands bis(pyrazol-1-yl)(R)methane (R=anisol-2-yl, bpzmArOMe; 2-hydroxyphenyl, bpzmArOH) and bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)(R)methane (R=anisol-2-yl, bpz*mArOMe; cyclohexyl, bpz*mCy and ferrocenyl, bpz*mFc). The bpz′mR ligands adopt a rigid boat conformation after coordination to the Pd center and the R group is in the axial position of the metallacycle. The new complexes exhibit two isomeric forms in solution that differ in the relative orientation of the 2-Me-allyl group with respect to the bpz′mRPd fragment. The fluxional behavior of the new complexes, mainly in the context of the isomerization process, has been analyzed. Conclusions concerning the influence on this isomerization of the R group and the pyrazole substituents in positions 3 and 5 are discussed. The isomerization process was found to be affected by the presence of coordinating anions (Cl⁻) or by a change in the complex concentration. The molecular structures of the complexes [Pd(η³-2-Me-C₃H₄)(bpzmArOMe)]TfO and [Pd(η³-2-Me-C₃H₄)(bpz*mCy)]TfO have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and structure of anhydrous complexes of magnesium(II) with β-ketoesters of higher alcohols

Methods for the synthesis of anhydrous complexes of magnesium(II) with β-ketoesters of higher alcohols have been developed. A number of novel magnesium complexes of the general formula MgL₂ (where HL is hexyl-, dodecyl-, tert-butyl-, cyclohexyl-, bornyl- and 1-adamantyl acetoacetate), which are readily soluble in organic media, have been synthesized. It has been found by X-ray crystallography that bis(1-adamantyl acetoacetato)magnesium(II) has a trimeric structure. The structure of the complexes in solutions is discussed.     

The Nitrogen‐Assisted Triphenylphosphine Displacement of Methylpyridine Ligand in Palladium(II) Complex: Crystal Structures of [Pd(PPh3)2{η1‐C5H3N(CH3)}(Br)] and [Pd(PPh3)Br]2{μ,η2‐C5H3N(CH3)}2

Treatment of Pd(PPh₃)₄ with 2‐bromo‐4‐methylpyridine, C₅H₃N(CH₃)Br, in dichloromethane at ?20 °C causes the oxidative addition reaction to produce the palladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂ {η¹‐C₅H₃N(CH₃)}(Br)], 2 , by substituting two triphenylphosphine ligands. In a dichloromethane solution of complex 2 at room temperature for 3 h, it undergoes displacement of the triphenylphosphine ligand to form the dipalladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)Br]₂{μ,η²‐C₅H₃N(CH₃)}₂, 3 , in which the two 4‐methylpyridine ligands coordinated through carbon to one metal center and bridging the other metal through the nitrogen atom. Complexes 2 and 3 are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Synthesis,Reactivity and Crystal Structures of the Palladium(II) Complexes with the Pyrimidine Containing Ligand: Crystal Structures of [Pd(PPh3)(η1‐C4H3N2)(η2‐S2CNC4H8)] and [Pd(PPh3)(η1‐C4H3N2)(η2‐Tp)]

Treatment of Pd(PPh₃)₄ with 5‐bromo‐pyrimidine [C₄H₃N₂Br] in dichloromethane at ambient temperature cause the oxidative addition reaction to produce the palladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(Br)], 1 , by substituting two triphenylphosphine ligands. In acetonitrile solution of 1 in refluxing temperature for 1 day, it do not undergo displacement of the triphenylphosphine ligand to form the dipalladium complex [Pd(PPh₃)Br]₂{μ,η²‐(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)}₂, or bromide ligand to form chelating pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)₂(η²‐C₄H₃N₂)]Br. Complex 1 reacted with bidentate ligand, NH₄S₂CNC₄H₈, and tridentate ligand, KTp {Tp = tris(pyrazoyl‐1‐yl)borate}, to obtain the η²‐dithiocarbamate η¹‐pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(η²‐S₂CNC₄H₈)], 4 and η²‐Tp η¹‐pyrimidine complex [Pd(PPh₃)(η¹‐C₄H₃N₂)(η²‐Tp)], 5 , respectively. Complexes 4 and 5 are characterized by X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

Immobilization of η-cyclopentadienyltris(dimethylamido)zirconium polymerization catalysts on a chlorosilane- and HMDS-modified mesoporous silica surface: a new concept for supporting metallocene amides towards heterogeneous single-site-catalysts

The modification of a mesoporous silica surface with Si(Ind)(CH₃)₂Cl and the immobilization of CpZr(NMe₂)₃ on this surface was studied via IR-spectroscopy. To reduce side reactions, the indenyl-modified silica was reacted with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) under IR-control before the CpZr(NMe₂)₃-immobilization. The role of the hydroxyl group protection with HMDS is discussed. The surface modifications have been repeated via Schlenk technique at the same conditions and the surface modifications were studied with ¹³C CP MAS–NMR, ¹H MAS–NMR, elemental-, SEM- and BET-analysis. The surface species of the resulting catalysts are discussed. The precatalysts have been treated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) (Al:Zr (mol:mol)=500:1) and the resulting Zr contents (leaching-effect) are discussed. All catalysts have been tested in ethylene and propylene polymerization.     

Polymerization of 2‐pentene with Ni(II) α‐diimine complex/M‐MAO catalyst and structure of the polymer

Polymerization of 2‐pentene with [ArN?C(An)C(An)·NAr)NiBr₂ (Ar?2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)] ( 1‐Ni) /M‐MAO catalyst was investigated. A reactivity between trans‐2‐pentene and cis‐2‐pentene on the polymerization was quite different, and trans‐2‐pentene polymerized with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst to give a high molecular weight polymer. On the other hand, the polymerization of cis‐2‐butene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst did not give any polymeric products. In the polymerization of mixture of trans‐ and cis‐2‐pentene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst, the M_n of the polymer increased with an increase of the polymer yields. However, the relationship between polymer yield and the M_n of the polymer did not give a strict straight line, and the M_w/M_n also increased with increasing polymer yield. This suggests that side reactions were induced during the polymerization. The structures of the polymer obtained from the polymerization of 2‐ pentene with 1‐Ni /M‐MAO catalyst consists of ? CH₂? CH₂? CH(CH₂CH₃)? , ? CH₂? CH₂? CH₂? CH(CH₃)? , ? CH₂? CH(CH₂CH₂CH₃)? , and methylene sequence ? (CH₂)_n? (n ≥ 5) units, which is related to the chain walking mechanism. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 2858–2863, 2008     

Crystallographic report: A coordination polymer containing [Zn(NO3)(H2O)2(btp)2]+ units bridged by btp ligands (btp = 2,6‐bis(N′‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)pyridine)

A zinc(II) coordination polymer has been formed from Zn(NO₃)₂ and 2,6‐bis(N′‐1,2,4‐triazolyl)pyridine (btp) ligands in which each zinc(II) atom is coordinated by three nitrogen donor atoms from btp and three oxygen donor atoms from a nitrate and two water molecules. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High‐temperature catalysts for the production of α‐olefins based on iron(II) and iron(III) tridentate bis(imino)pyridine complexes modified by nitrilo group

Series of Fe(II) and Fe(III) tridentate bis(imino)pyridine complexes without nitrilo groups 2–6 and with nitrilo groups 7–13 were synthesized. According to X‐ray analysis, the introduction of nitrilo groups in para‐ and ortho‐positions tends to result in shorter axial Fe? N bonds. Both types of complexes, 2–6 and 9–13 , afforded very productive catalysts for the production of α‐olefins with higher K values and better linearity of Schultz–Flory distribution α‐olefins than the parent methyl substituted Fe(II) complex 1 . Noticeably, the complexes functionalized with a para‐nitrilo group 9–13 tend to make α‐olefins with higher K values of the Schultz–Flory distribution, more ideal distributions, and less of the heavier insoluble fractions of α‐olefins than corresponding nonsymmetrically substituted complexes without para‐nitrilo groups 2–6 . Statistically significant correlations were obtained between % solids of total α‐olefins and the blocked solid angle fraction in the +z hemisphere ( = 51.3%, p = 0.012) and between catalyst productivity and total blocked solid angle fraction ( = 43.5%, p = 0.023). The modest values of show that, while steric effects are significant, they are not the sole factor determining catalyst performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 585–611, 2008     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum(III) and tin(II) complexes supported by diiminophosphinate ligands and their application in ring‐opening polymerization catalysis of ε‐caprolactone

A series of Al(III) and Sn(II) diiminophosphinate complexes have been synthesized. Reaction of Ph(ArCH₂)P(?NBu^t)NHBu^t (Ar = Ph, 3 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 4 ) with AlR₃ (R = Me, Et) gave aluminum complexes [R₂Al{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (R = Me, Ar = Ph, 5 ; R = Me, Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 6 ; R = Et, Ar = Ph, 7 ; R = Et, Ar = quinolyl, 8 ). Lithiated 3 and 4 were treated with SnCl₂ to afford tin(II) complexes [ClSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ar)}] (Ar = Ph, 9 ; Ar = 8‐quinolyl, 10 ). Complex 9 was converted to [(Me₃Si)₂NSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 11 ) by treatment with LiN(SiMe₃)₂. Complex 11 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with [Sn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]. Complex 9 reacted with [LiOC₆H₄Bu^t‐4] to yield [4‐Bu^tC₆H₄OSn{(NBu^t)₂P(Ph)(CH₂Ph)}] ( 12 ). Compounds 3–12 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of complexes 6 , 10 , and 11 were further characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. The catalytic activity of complexes 5–8 , 11 , and 12 toward the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (CL) was studied. In the presence of BzOH, the complexes catalyzed the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐CL in the activity order of 5 > 7 ≈ 8 > 6 ? 11 > 12 , giving polymers with narrow molecular weight distributions. The kinetic studies showed a first‐order dependency on the monomer concentration in each case. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 4621–4631, 2006     

Homo‐ and copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene with bis(β‐diketiminato) titanium complexes activated with methylaluminoxane

Homo‐ and copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene were investigated with bis(β‐diketiminato) titanium complexes [ArNC(CR₃)CHC(CR₃)NAr]₂TiCl₂ (R = F, Ar = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl 2a; R = F, Ar = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl 2b ; R = H, Ar = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl 2c ; R = H, Ar = 2,6‐dimethylphenyl 2d) in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO). The influence of steric and electric effects of complexes on catalytic activity was evaluated. With MAO as cocatalyst, complexes 2a–d are moderately active catalysts for ethylene polymerization producing high‐molecular weight polyethylenes bearing linear structures, but low active catalysts for norbornene polymerization. Moreover, 2a – d are also active ethylene–norbornene (E–N) copolymerization catalysts. The incorporation of norbornene in the E–N copolymer could be controlled by varying the charged norbornene. ¹³C NMR analyses showed the microstructures of the E–N copolymers were predominantly alternated and isolated norbornene units in copolymer, dyad, and triad sequences of norbornene were detected in the E–N copolymers with high incorporated content of norbornene. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 93–101, 2008     

Polymers with electron-deficient olefin moieties by oxidation of precursors containing “push–pull” olefin (β-alkylmercaptoenoate) moieties in the main chain

Oxidation of a polymer (1) having β-alkylmercaptoenoate moieties in the main chain by m-chloroperbenzoic acid (MCPBA) is described. Oxidation of 1 proceeded selectively to give polymers having vinyl sulfoxide or vinyl sulfone moieties in the main chain by using an appropriate amount of MCPBA. In the case of 1.1 equiv of MCPBA (relative to the sulfur atom), a polymer (4) having vinyl sulfoxide moieties selectively in the main chain was obtained in quantitative yield without side reactions. Likewise, a polymer (5) having vinyl sulfone moieties was obtained in quantitative yield by using 2.6 equiv of MCPBA. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2589–2592, 1998     

Higher α‐olefins carbonylation in aqueous media by Pd(II) catalysts modified with substituted diphosphine ligands: Aqueous polyketone latices with high solid contents and molecular weights

Water‐soluble palladium complexes cis‐[Pd(L)(OAc)₂] ( 1–8 ) (L represents a diphosphine ligands of the general formula CH₂(CH₂PR₂)₂, where for a : R ? (CH₂)₆OH; b–g : R ? (CH₂)_nP(O)(OEt)₂, n = 2–6 and n = 8; h : R ? (CH₂)₃NH₂) have been employed, after activation with a large excess of HBF₄, for emulsion polymerization of alkenes (propene, butene, and their equimolar mixtures) with carbon monoxide. Aliphatic polyketone lattices with a high solid content (21%), high molecular weight (6.3 × 10⁴ g mol^?1), and narrow polydispersities (M_w/M_n ≈ 2) were isolated. The catalytic activity of the dicationic palladium (II) based catalysts, C1–C8 is highly dependent on the length of the alkyl chain of the ligand. Catalyst 3 proved to be highly active for propene/CO copolymers, whereas 6 is active for butene/CO and propene/CO‐butene/CO systems. The presence of methyl β‐cyclodextrin, as a phase‐transfer agent, and undecenoic acid, as an emulsifier, increase the molar mass and the stability of the polyketones and finally the activity of the catalyst. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6715–6725, 2009