CYCLOPOLYMERIZATION OF DIETHYL DIPROPARGYLMALONATE BY TRANSITION-METAL CATALYSTS

Diethyl dipropargylmalonate was polymerized by MoCI5- and WCl6-based catalysts to give a new, high molecular weight polymer. A MoCl5-based catalyst was found to be a particularly effective catalyst for cyclopolymerization of diethyl dipropargylmalonate. The number average molecular weight of the resulting polymer was in the range of 76000–127000. The effects of catalysts and solvents on polymerization were also studied. The IR, NMR, and UV–visible spectra of poly(diethyl dipropargylmalonate) supported the idea that the resulting polymer possesses polyene structure having a cyclic recurring unit in the polymer backbone. Poly(diethyl dipropargylmalonate) is a black, soluble, and thermally stable solid. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.