Polyacetylene catalysts

Much effort has been expended toward the improvement of the properties of polyacetylenes made by the direct polymerization of acetylene. Variation of the type of initiator systems (17—19), annealing or aging of the catalyst (20,21), and stretch orientation of the films (22,23) has resulted in increases in conductivity and improvement in the oxidative stabiHty of the material. The improvement in properties is likely the result of a polymer with fewer defects. 

Growth mechanism of a (9n,0) tubule, over 24n coordination sites of the catalyst. The growth of a general (9 ,0) tubule on the catalyst surface is illustrated by that of the (9,0) tubule in Fig. 16 which shows the unsaturated end of a (9,0) tubule in a planar representation. At that end, the carbons bearing a vacant bond are coordinatively bonded to the catalyst (grey circles) or to a growing cis-polyacetylene chain (oblique bold lines in Fig. 16). Tlie vacant bonds of the six c/s-polyacetylene chains involved are taken to be coordinatively bonded to the catalyst [Fig. 16(b)]. These polyacetylene chains are continuously extruded from the catalyst particle where they are formed by polymerization of C2 units assisted by the catalyst coordination sites. Note that in order to reduce the number of representations of important steps, Fig. 16(b) includes nine new Cj units with respect to Fig. 16(a). 

The 12 catalyst coordination sites — drawn further away from the surface of the particle (closer to the tubule) — are acting in pairs, each pair being always coordinatively bonded to one carbon of an inserted (F) or of a to-be-inserted (2 ) Cj unit and to two other carbons which are members of two neighbouring cis-polyacetylene chains (3°). It should be emphasized that, as against the (5n,5n) tubule growth, the C2 units extruded from the catalyst particle are positioned in this case parallel to the tubule axis before their insertion. 

An interesting example of regioselective CM with ethylene as a tool in natural product degradation was recently disclosed by Hawaiian authors [149]. Thus, CM using catalyst C and ethylene gas was used to degrade the plant polyacetylene oxylipin (+)-falcarindiol (342) with uncertain stereochemistry at C3. As the reaction provided a meso product (343) in 81% yield by regioselective attack at the aliphatic side chain, the natural compound 342, isolated from a Hawaiian endemic plant, had the 3R,8S configuration shown in Scheme 66. 

In 1958, Natta and co-workers polymerized acetylene for the first time by using a Ti-based catalyst. This polymerization proceeds by the insertion mechanism like the polymerization of olefins. Because of the lack of processability and stability, early studies on polyacetylenes were motivated by only theoretical and spectroscopic interests. Thereafter, the discovery of the metallic conductivity of doped polyacetylene in 1977 stimulated research into the chemistry of polyacetylene, and now poly acetylene is recognized as one of the most important conjugated polymers. Many publications are now available about the chemistry and physics of polyacetylene itself. 

This chapter surveys the polymerization of substituted acetylenes focusing on the research during this decade. Monomers and polymers, polymerization catalysts, controlled polymerizations, and functional polyacetylenes are discussed. Readers are encouraged to access other reviews and monographs on the polymerization of substituted acetylenes, and a,cj-diynes. ... 

The examples of polyacetylenes whose main chain is directly bonded to heteroaromatic rings (e.g., silole, carbazole, imidazole, tetrathiafulvalene, ferrocene) are increasing in number. Such polymers are usually obtained by one of catalysts (W, Mo, and Rh). The formed polymers are expected to display interesting (opto)electronic properties such as electrochromism, cyclic voltammetry, electroluminescence, and so on. 

FIGURE 6.2 A film of polyacetylene forms on the inner surface of the reaction vessel, after ethyne gas passes over the catalyst solution of the walls. The paper-thin flexible sheet of polyacetylene is then stripped from the walls before doping. (Photograph by James Kilkelly. Originally published in Scientific American)... 

When heated, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) lose HC1 and H20, respectively, to produce dark-colored conductive polyacetylene. Superior polymers of acetylene can be made by the polymerization of acetylene with Ziegler-Natta catalysts. The conductivity of polyacetylene is increased by the addition of dopants, such as arsenic pentafluoride or sodium naphthenide. 

---