SOLID-STATE POLYMERIZATION OF DIACETYLENE MICROCRYSTALS

Microcrystals of two different types of diacetylene monomers, i.e. 4BC MU known for giving a soluble polydiacetylene and 14-8 ADA known as an amphiphilic diacetylene, were prepared and in their solid-state polym erization behaviors were investigated. The polymerization of 4BCMU pro ceeded quantitatively in the perfect crystalline lattice to give blue- colored polymer crystals. Averaged molecular weight of poly-4BCMU was found to be proportional to microcrystal size, implying that the solid -state polymerization proceeds from one end to the other end of microc rystals. 14-8 ADA microcrystals gave very stable water dispersion even after polymerization, so that the detailed analysis of polymerization behaviors was possible. Size-dependent spectral change and final conv ersion found for 14-8 ADA were discussed in terms of strain and therma l motion of the crystal lattice.