New approaches for the synthesis of hindered C60‐containing polyphosphazenes via functionalized intermediates

Two new approaches were developed to synthesize C₆₀‐containing polyphosphazenes. Accordingly, two new reactive macromolecular intermediates ( P4 and P8 ) were obtained from poly(dichlorophosphazene) by the direct nucleophilic substitution reaction. In one approach, a predesigned amimo end–functionalized polyphosphazene ( P4 ) was prepared and then reacted with C₆₀ molecules in chlorobenzene to yield C₆₀‐containing polyphosphazene; in the other approach, a polyphosphazene containing 4‐methyl phenoxy groups as side chains was first prepared, and then part of the 4‐methyl groups were converted to azidomethyl groups (in P8 ), which reacted with C₆₀ to yield C₆₀‐containing polyphosphazene. The polymers were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and UV–visible spectra and by gel permeation chromatography. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2877–2885, 2004