Polybenzopinacols. I. Photolytic coupling of aromatic diketones

Low molecular weight polybenzopinacols were obtained by the photolytic coupling of m- and p-dibenzoylbenzene and 4,4′-dibenzoyldiphenyl ether in isopropanol, tetrahydrofuran–isopropanol, benzene–isopropanol, and benzene–ethanol solutions. The polypinacols were soluble in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, ether, and benzene. The inherent viscosities ranged from 0.06 to 0.14. Average molecular weight (M?_n) data indicated that the polymers were mostly dimers and trimers.