Synthesis of Poly(propargyl esters) with Rhodium Catalysts and Their Characterization

Summary Propargyl esters (HC≡CCH₂OC(=O)R; 1: R = n-C₅H₁₁, 2: R = CH₃, 3: R = CHBrCH₃, 4: R = C₆H₅, 5: R = C(C₆H₅)₃) were polymerized by using (nbd)Rh⁺(η⁶-Ph-B^-Ph₃) (nbd = 2,5-norbornadiene) to produce poly(1)–poly(5) with molecular weights in the range of M_n = 4,900–40,000. Poly(1), poly(3) and poly(4) were readily soluble in common organic solvents such as toluene, THF and CHCl₃, and poly(2) showed similar solubility behavior except that it was insoluble in THF. Poly(5) did not dissolve in any organic solvent. Poly(1) was yellow oil, while poly(2)–poly(5) were yellow solids. Poly(1)–poly(4) exhibited UV-vis absorptions in a range of 300–425 nm, which are attributed to the conjugation of the main chain. All the polymers were thermally stable up to 150–200 °C.