Living polymerization and block copolymerization of various ring-substituted phenylacetylenes by rhodium-based ternary catalyst

Summary

Polymerization of several ring-substituted phenylacetylenes, i.e. p-methoxy-, p-methyl-, p-chloro-, and p-methoxycarbonylphenylacetylenes by the [(nbd)RhCl]₂/Ph₂C=CPhLi/Ph₃P ternary catalyst proceeded in a living fashion to quantitatively provide polymers with low polydispersity indices (M _w/M _n 1.04–1.18). The initiation efficiencies were virtually quantitative. Block copolymerizations proceeded regardless of the combinations and addition orders of these monomers to selectively form the corresponding block copolymers.