Polymerization of α-Hydroxyacetylenes by Transition Metal Catalysts

Abstract

Abstract α-Hydroxyacetylenes (2-propyn-1-ol, DL-3-butyn-2-ol, 1-octyn-3-ol, 2-phenyl-3-butyn-2-ol) with a hydroxy functional group were polymerized by various Mo- and W-based catalysts. In general, the catalytic activities of Mo-based catalysts were greater than those of W-based catalysts for these polymerizations. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol, MoCl5 alone and the MoCl5-EtAlCl2 catalyst system gave a quantitative yield of polymer. In the polymerization of 2-propyn-l-ol and its homologues by Mo-based catalysts, the polymer yield decreased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased. On the other hand, the polymer yield increased as the bulkiness of the substituent increased in WCl6-EtAlCl2-catalyzed polymerization. Polymers with a bulkier substituent showed better solubility in organic solvents than those without a substituent [e.g., poly (2-propyn-l-ol)]. The structures of the resulting polymers were characterized by various instrumental methods such as 1H- and 13C-NMR, IR, and UV-visible spec...