CYCLOPOLYMERIZATION OF DIPROPARGYLGERMANIUMS BY TRANSITION-METAL CATALYSTS

Cyclopolymerization of dipropargylgermaniums [(CH3)2Ge(CH2C=CH)2, (Ph)2Ge-(CH2C=CH)2] was examined for MoCl5- and WCl6-based catalysts. The WC16and MoCls catalysts are all effective in the polymerization of dipropargylgermaniums. Polymerization of diphenyldipropargylgerma-niums by WC16 leads to soluble, highly colored polymers of a number-average molecular weight of (MJ 12 000. NMR pH and 13C), IR, UV-visible spectroscopies showed that poly(diphenyldipropargylgermani-ums) possess polyene structures having cyclic recurring units in the polymer backbone. Poly(dipropargylgermaniums) have been investigated in terms of physical properties, solubility, electrical conductivity, and thermal and oxidative stability. Fairly good thermal and oxidative stability and solubility of the present cyclopolymer are notable characteristics. © 1990, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.