Ionic conjugated polymer, poly(2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium bromide), wa
s prepared by the cyclopolymerization of 2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium br
omide on using various transition metal catalysts, or by thermal methods wi
thout adding catalyst. The polymerization of 2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridiniu
m bromide catalyzed by PdCl2 gave the resulting polymers in relatively high
yields. The polymer structure was characterized by various instrumental me
thods to confirm the conjugated polymer backbone structure carrying cumulat
ed pyridine moiety. The polymers prepared by PdCl2 in DMSO or m-cresol were
completely soluble in DMF, DMSO, and formic acid. The inherent viscosities
of the resulting polymers were in the range of 0.07-0.19 dL/g. Thermal pro
perties of the polymers were also discussed.