Synthetic attempts towards polymer-bound 'push-pull' acetylenes

In view of possible applications of 'push-pull' acetylenes 1 and 'push-pull ' olefins 2 as potential non-linear optics materials, synthetic attempts to wards polymers of type 4 and 6 (Scheme 2) have been undertaken. Two so far unknown 'push-pull' acetylenes la,b with R=styrene, have been prepared unde r carefully controlled conditions which quite surprisingly fail to give pol ymers 4a.b by anionic or radical-induced polymerization. On the other hand, 'push-pull' acetylenes may be reacted with commercially available poly(4-vi nylphenol) to give polymers 6c,d with a 40-70% conversion of phenol units.