SYNTHESIS OF POLY(ARYLENE PHOSPHINE OXIDE) BY NICKEL-CATALYZED COUPLING POLYMERIZATION

An amorphous high molecular weight poly(arylene phosphine oxide) (PAPO ) was synthesized from bis(4-chlorophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide by the nickel-catalysed carbon-carbon coupling reaction. The physical and th ermal properties of PAPO were investigated. The material exhibited a g lass transition temperature around 365 degrees C and 5% weight loss ar ound 550 degrees C in nitrogen and air. Upon heating up to 750 degrees C in air PAPO lost only 65% of its weight leaving significant amount of char behind which is due to the presence of phosphorous in the poly mer. The polymer developed an intense red colour once the phosphine ox ide groups in the polymer were reduced to phosphine. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.