Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(2,2-Dipropargyl-1,3-Propylene Benzaldehyde Acetal) Containing a Bulky Acetal Structure

Abstract

Abstract Poly(2,2-dipropargyl-1,3-propylene benzaldehyde acetal) (PDPBA), a cyclopolymer containing a bulky acetal functional group, was prepared with transition metal catalysts. MoCl5 was found to be the most effective catalyst, and any cocatalyst effect was hardly observed. Polymerization was quantitatively carried out under mild conditions (30°C, M0 = 0.125) with MoCl5-based catalysts. The structure and physical properties of the resulting polymer were investigated. The spectral data indicated that the polymer contains alternating double and single bonds along the polymer backbone and a cyclic recurring unit with spiro acetal group. The polymer was completely soluble in common organic solvents. The M n value of the polymer was in the 70,000 to 80,000 range relative to polystyrene standards by GPC. In addition, the polymer possessed good thermal and oxidative stability. The electrical conductivity of the undoped polymer was 10−12 S/cm.