Synthesis of cyclic and multicyclic polyisoprenes

Cyclic polyisoprenes have been synthesized by reaction of alpha,omega -dilithiopolyisoprenes with dichlorodimethylsilane or 1,2-bis(isopropenyl-4-phenyl) ethane (BIPE). Using the dihalide compound, the effect of the solvent polarity on the coupling reaction is more pronounced in the case of alpha,omega -dilithiopolyisoprene than with monofunctional poly-isoprenyllithium. The yield in cyclic compound falls from 88% in pure hexane down to 53% in the presence of 15 vol% of tetrahydrofurane (THF). Using the nonconjugated diene (BIPE) as linking agent the addition of THF is required but the formed cycle retains its living character and allows the synthesis of cycles having two arms (after addition of isoprene) and of a bicyclic structure after a second cyclization reaction. (C) 2001 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.