THERMAL POLYMERIZATION OF ARYLACETYLENES .1. STUDY OF A MONOFUNCTIONAL MODEL-COMPOUND

The thermal polymerization of arylacetylene compounds has been studied from a monofunctional model compound, 4-(hexyloxy)phenylacetylene I. I was synthesized and bulk polymerized under several experimental cond itions. The reaction products were analysed by chromatography, spectro scopy and spectrometry techniques. The observed average polymerization degree is low. The lowest molecular weight compounds were isolated an d identified: they are two naphthalenic dimers and three benzenic trim ers. They represent 30wt% of the whole polymerization product. We have shown also that the thermal polymerization of I is temperature and ti me dependent and that a depolymerization process takes place at high t emperature. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.