SIMULTANEOUS POLYMERIZATION AND FORMATION OF POLYPHENYLACETYLENE FILMBY ND(P-204)(3)-FE(AA)(3)-AL(I-BU)(3) COMBINED CATALYST SYSTEM

The simultaneous polymerization and formation of polyphenylacetylene f ilm by Nd(P-204)(3)-Fe(AA)(3)-Al(i-Bu)(3) catalyst system have been in vestigated. The combined catalytic effects between rare earth phosphon ates with M(T)(naph)(x) or Fe(AA)(3) systems are first proposed and co mpared. The polymerization features and kinetic behaviors with Nd(P-20 4)(3)-Fe(AA)(3)-Al(i-Bu)(3) system are described and discussed. The co mbined catalytic effects have the following order, respectively: Fe mu ch greater than Co > Cr > Mn-Ni, Nd(P-204)(3)-Nd(P-507)(3) > Nd(P-350) (3), and Tb > Sm > Yb > Ho > Lu > Dy > Nd-Er-Pr > Y-Tm > Ce > Gd > La. The overall polymerization activation energy was found to be 20.8 kJ/ mol showing coordination-anionic polymerization characteristic. PPA fi lms so obtained are very similar to the rare earth ones. (C) 1995 John Wiley and Sons, Inc.