Polymerization of substituted acetylenes carrying non-polar and polar groups with transition metal acetylide catalysts

A new series of single-component air-stable transition metal acetylide cata lysts for the polymerization of substituted acetylenes carrying non-polar a nd polar groups was developed. The catalytic properties of transition metal acetylides are related to transition metals, phosphines and acetylenic lig ands. Nickel acetylides show higher catalytic activity towards the polymeri zation of substituted acetylenes containing non-polar groups, while palladi um acetylides show higher catalytic activity towards the polymerization of substituted acetylenes carrying polar groups. Palladium acetylides with PPh 3 ligand are efficient catalysts for the polymerization of substituted acet ylenes bearing both non-polar and polar groups.