SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(DIPHENYLACETYLENES) HAVING ETHER LINKAGES

Polymerization of 1-phenyl-2-(p-phenoxyphenyl)acetylene (p-PhODPA), 1- phenyl-2-(p-methoxyphenyl)acetylene, and 1-phenyl-2-(p-n-butoxyphenyl) acetylene was examined. These monomers polymerized with TaCl5-n-Bu4Sn to give methanol-insoluble polymers in over 60% yields. Poly(p-PhODPA) was a.yellow solid completely soluble in toluene, CHCl3, etc., and it s weight-average molecular weight was about 1.0X10(6) or higher. This polymer was thermally very stable (the onset temperature of weight los s in TGA in air was 420-degrees-C). Its oxygen permeability coefficien t (PO2) was 37 barrers (PO2/PN2 2.2) and similar to that of natural ru bber. In contrast, the other two polymers did not completely dissolve in any organic solvent, and their thermal stability was lower.