Polymerization of acetylenes carrying precursors of aminyl radicals

In the search for organic ferromagnets polymers with a conjugated backbone and pendant persistent radicals are one route of interest. The synthesis of poly[4-(4-ethynylphenyl)-2′,4′,6′-trinitro-2,6-diphenyldiphenylamine] (p-3) and poly[4-(3-ethynylphenyl)-2′,4′,6′-trinitro-2,6-diphenyldiphenylamine] (m-3) as precursors of polyradicals are described. A dinuclear rhodium cyclooctadiene chloride complex as polymerization catalyst was used to yield polymers with molecular weights (gel-permeation chromatography) of 100 000 for m-3 and 210 000 for p-3 .