POLYMERIZATION OF PHENYLACETYLENE BY LEWIS-ACID ACTIVATED TUNGSTEN CARBONYL-COMPLEXES

Several tungsten carbonyl complexes: W(CO)6, [NEt4][W(CO)5Cl], [W(CO)4 ) (CH3CN)2], [W(CO)4(pip)2], [W(CO)4(bpy)], [W(CO)4(dppe)] and [WCl2(C O)3(PPh3)2] exhibit catalytic activity towards polymerization of pheny lacetylene (PA) in the presence of ZrCl4. They cause PA to polymerize under mild conditions, giving soluble, high molecular weight polymers in good yields. An active carbene-containing catalyst can be generated from a simple carbonyl complex and free alkyne via the alkyne to viny lidene rearrangement.