A New,General Synthetic Method for the Preparation of Linear Poly-p-xylylenes

A new, general synthetic route to poly-p-xylylene and substituted poly-p-xylylenes is described. The key intermediate in the new process is di-p-xylylene (2,2)p-cyclophane]. It has been found that di-p-xylylene is quantitatively cleaved by vacuum vapor-phase pyrolysis at 600°C. to two molecules of p-xylylene. p-Xylylene spontaneously polymerizes on condensation to form high molecular weight, linear poly-p-xylylene. The conversion of di-p-xylylene to poly-p-xylylene is quantitative. The process is adaptable to the preparation of a wide variety of substituted poly-p-xylylenes by pyrolysis of ring-substituted di-p-xylylenes and polymerization of the resultant substituted p-xylylenes. Many of these polymers are not attainable by any other route. All are linear and free of crosslinking. Evidence supporting the proposed mechanism of pyrolytic cleavage of every molecule of di-p-xylylene to two molecules of p-xylylene is presented. Tough, transparent polymeric films are obtained from the process when the polymerization of the p-xylylenes is conducted on glass or metal surfaces. Outstanding combinations of physical, electrical, and chemical properties are displayed by poly-p-xylylene, polychloro-p-xylylene, and other substituted polymers. A comparison of the relative merits of the original Szwarc route and the new di-p-xylylene route to poly-p-xylylenes is presented.