Nonlinear optical properties metal coordination polymers

Oligomerization and polymerization of terminal alkynes may provide materials with interesting conductivity and (nonlinear) optical properties. Phenylacetylene and 4-ethynyltoluene were polymerized in water/methanol homogeneous solutions and in water/chloroform biphasic systems using [RhCl(CO)(TPPTS)2] and [IrCl(CO)(TPPTS)2] as catalysts [37], The complexes themselves were rather inefficient, however, the catalytic activity could be substantially increased by addition of MesNO in order to remove the carbonyl ligand from the coordination sphere of the metals. The polymers obtained had an average molecular mass of = 3150-16300. The rhodium catalyst worked at room temperature providing polymers with cis-transoid structure, while [IrCl(CO)(TPPTS)2] required 80 °C and led to the formation of frani -polymers. 

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