SYNTHESIS OF CONDUCTING POLYMERS WITH CONJUGATED CARBON-CARBON TRIPLEBONDS BY ELECTROCHEMICAL CONDENSATION OF ACETYLENE DERIVATIVES CATALYZED BY COPPER COMPLEX

Acetylene derivatives were electrolyzed at + 1.5 V (vs. SCE) in the pr esence of copper (I) salt and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine at 40 degrees C under an argon atmosphere. Phenylacetylene was oxidativel y coupled to diphenylbutadiyne quantitatively. In the case of 1,4-diet hynylbenzene, soluble poly(phenylenebutadiynylene) was obtained. The e lectrical conductivity (sigma) increased from 10(-14) S cm(-1) to 10(- 12) S cm(-1) after I-2 doping. In the case of acetylene as the substra te, an insoluble black powdery product was obtained. The IR spectrum o f the product was similar to that of carbyne reported before.