Polymerization of Hydroxyalkylacetylenes by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract The polymerization of hydroxyalkylacetylenes [HC°C(CH2)n-OH, n = 1–4) was carried out with various transition metal catalysts. Mo-based catalysts and PdCl2 were very effective for the polymerization of hydroxyalkylacetylenes. The polymer yields generally decreased as the number of methylene units between the hydroxy and acetylene functional groups increased from 1 to 4. Polymer solubility increased as the number of methylene units increased. The resulting polymers had a conjugated polyene structure with linear hydroxyalkyl substituents. The resulting polymers were black or light-brown powders. The thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis. X-ray diffraction analysis data indicated that the polymers are mostly amorphous.