Polymerization of phenyl acetylene on CuO

Conclusions

• 1. Phenylacetylene is readily polymerized on the catalyst CuO at a temperature of 250–350°, as well as in the presence of (C₂H₅)₃Al·TiCl₃ (20–70°), forming polymers with molecular weights of 5000–70003

• 2. The polymers obtained are not oxidized by the oxygen of the air; they are halogenated and form adducts with maleic anhydride.

• 3. The IR spectra of all the phenylacetylene polymers are identical and basically coincide with the spectrum of polystyrene. On the basis of the changes detected in the spectrum of polyacetylene, a hypothesis was drawn on the assignment of the band 1376 cm⁻¹ in polystyrene to Raman's vibration, related to the CH₂ group.