Polymerization of phenylacetylene by Lewis acid activated tungsten carbonyl complexes

Abstract

Several tungsten carbonyl complexes: W(CO) 6, [NEt 4] [W(CO) 5Cl], [W(CO) 4) (CH 3CN) 2], [W(CO) 4(pip) 2], [W(CO) 4(bpy)], [W(CO) 4(dppe)] and [WCl 2(CO) 3(PPh 3) 2] exhibit catalytic activity towards polymerization of phenylacetylene (PA) in the presence of ZrCl 4. They cause PA to polymerize under mild conditions, giving soluble, high molecular weight polymers in good yields. An active carbene-containing catalyst can be generated from a simple carbonyl complex and free alkyne via the alkyne to vinylidene rearrangement.