Polymerization Cyclopolymerization, Oxidative

The ionic chain polymerization of unsaturated linkages is considered in this chapter, primarily the polymerization of the carbon-carbon double bond by cationic and anionic initiators (Secs. 5-2 and 5-3). The last part of the chapter considers the polymerization of other unsaturated linkages. Polymerizations initiated by coordination and metal oxide initiators are usually also ionic in nature. These are called coordination polymerizations and are considered separately in Chap. 8. Ionic polymerizations of cyclic monomers is discussed in Chap. 7. The polymerization of conjugated dienes is considered in Chap. 8. Cyclopolymerization of nonconjugated dienes is discussed in Chap. 6. 

In an attempt to alleviate the oxidative problem encountered with polyacetylene and poly-1,6, we have examined the cyclopolymerization of propiolic anhydride ( ) to polymer 4. This process was reported to yield polymer of molecular weights up to 25000 (200 double bonds) by anionic cyclopolymerization using nucleophiles such as I, CNS, Cl in dime thy Iformamj e(DMF) and by coordination polymerization using PdCl2 in DMF. 

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