Synthesis of poly(1,6-heptadiyne) derivatives containing bulky substitutents by metathesis polymerization

Poly(1,6-heptadiyne) derivatives with phenoxy and 3,7-dimethyloctyloxyphenoxy substituents were synthesized using metathesis polymerization. Polymerizations using MoCl5 as the sole catalyst gave high yields and the resulting polymers were completely soluble in organic solvents. The polymers’ structures and thermal properties were characterized using NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as with TGA and DSC thermograms. From the analysis of the high-resolution13C-NMR spectra, we was found that these polymers contain six-membered rings. The number-average molecular weights and polydispersities of the polymers were ca. 7.0≈20 × 103 and 3.1≈5.8, respectively. The glass transition temperatures of the polymers were found to be in the range 91≈159 °C.