POLYMERIZATION OF ACETYLENE DERIVATIVES BY METALLOCENE CATALYSTS: POLYMERIZATION OF PHENYLACETYLENE BY BIS(CYCLOPENTADIENYL)MOLYBDENUM DICHLORIDE-BASED CATALYST SYSTEM

Abstract

Bis(cyclopentadienyl)molybdenum dichloride-based catalyst systems were used for the polymerization of phenylacetylene. The bis(cyclopentadienyl) molybdenum-based catalyst systems were found to be effective for the polymerization of phenylacetylene to give a relatively high yield of polymer. EtAlCl2showed high cocatalytic activity for the polymerization of phenyl acetylene by Cp2MoCl2. The polymerization behaviors were studied according to such reaction variables as monomer to catalyst mole ratio, initial monomer concentration, polymerization temperature, time, etc. The polymer structure was characterized by various instrumental methods to be the conjugated polymer backbone structure having phenyl substituents.The resulting poly(PA)s were generally light-brown powers and soluble in common organic solvents. The physical and thermal properties of the resulting poly(phenylacetylene) were also investigated.