'Radical-controlled' oxidative polymerization of m-cresol catalyzed by mu-eta(2):eta(2)-peroxo dicopper(II) complex

Described is an oxidative polymerization of m-cresol catalyzed by (1,4,7-tr iisopropyl-1,4,7-triazacydononane)copper complex, from which a mu-eta(2):et a(2)-peroxo dicopper(II) complex is formed under dioxygen and reacts with m -cresol to give 'controlled' phenoxy radical-copper(I) complex exclusively without formation of 'free' phenoxy radical. The present catalyst showed th e highest activity in the metal complex catalysts reported for the polymeri zation of m-cresol with dioxygen. The resulting polymer consisted of oxyphe nylene units and showed high molecular weight and high thermal stability. T he high selectivity toward C-O linkage would be due to the coupling from th e phenoxy radical species controlled by this catalyst. (C) 2000 Elsevier Sc ience B.V. All rights reserved.