Polymerization Heck-coupling route

The Pd-catalyzed coupling reaction of an aryl halide and olefin is a very efficient and practical method for making C—C bonds. The Heck alkenylation of aryl bromides with ethylene was used by Dow Chemical to make high-purity 2- and 4-vinyltoluenes, which are of interest as co-monomers in styrene polymers [159]. The monomer, o-vinyltoluene (99), has a low toxicity and an attractive co-monomer for styrene polymers. o-Vinyltoluene improved heat distortion properties of styrene and polymerization rate. It also minimized color formation or cross-linking and it was difficult to make by other routes [159]. Catalyst turnover, rate, and lifetime were significantly improved. 

The wide variety of coupling methods adapted from organic synthesis to condensation polymerization of just one CP can be appreciated from Fig. 5-12. for poly(pheny-lene). Typical condensations and eliminations adapted to syntheses of such CPs as poly(phenylene) and poly(phenylene vinylene) (P(PV)) are illustrated in Fig. 5-13. Fig. 5-14 shows the variety of precursor routes available to P(PV). More recently, the Yu group [86] has demonstrated application of Pd-catalyzed Stille and Heck reactions to the synthesis of poly(thiophene) (P(T)) derivatives (cf. Fig. 5-15. Besides the Grignard couplings such as shown in Eq. 1.6, Chapter 1, P(T) s can also be prepared via a variety of other procedures, such as Friedel-Crafts alkylation [87], and direct oxidation with FeClj as for P(Py) above. 

---