Polymerization of 1-Ethynyl-1-Cyclohexanol by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

The polymerization of 1-ethynyl-l-cyclohexanol (ECHO) was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. The Mo- and W-based catalysts gave a relatively low yield of polymer (≤32%). The catalytic activity of Mo-based catalysts was greater than that of W-based catalysts. PdCl₂ was a very effective catalyst for the present polymerization and gave a high yield of polymer. (Ph₃P)₂PdCl₂ and PtCl₂ were also found to be effective catalysts. The structure of the resulting poly(ECHO) was identified by various instrumental methods as a conjugated polyene structure having an α-hydroxycyclohexyl substituent. The poly(ECHO)s were mostly light-brown powders and completely soluble in various organic solvents such as chloroform, chlorobenzene, benzene, DMSO, and THF. Thermal and morphological properties were also studied.