POLYMERIZATION OF 1-ETHYNYL-1-CYCLOHEXANOL BY TRANSITION-METAL CATALYSTS

The polymerization of 1-ethynyl-1-cyclohexanol (ECHO) was carried out by various transition metal catalysts. The Mo- and W-based catalysts g ave a relatively low yield of polymer (less-than-or-equal-to 32%). The catalytic activity of Mo-based catalysts was greater than that of W-b ased catalysts. PdCl2 was a very effective catalyst for the present po lymerization and gave a high yield of polymer. (Ph3P)2PdCl2 and PtCl2 were also found to be effective catalysts. The structure of the result ing poly(ECHO) was identified by various instrumental methods as a con jugated polyene structure having an alpha-hydroxycyclohexyl substituen t. The poly(ECHO)s were mostly light-brown powders and completely solu ble in various organic solvents such as chloroform, chlorobenzene, ben zene, DMSO, and THF. Thermal and morphological properties were also st udied.