Polymerization Knoevenagel polycondensation

Monomer 33 was made to undergo transesterification polymerization using Ti(OC4H9)4, while monomer 34 was appropriate for a Knoevenagel polycondensation. The transesterification polymerization resulted in the formation of an intractable material of unknown structure. Homopolymerization of 34 by the Knoevenagel technique afforded polymer 35 with a low molecular weight (M 6800). A major byproduct in this polymerization was a macrocyclic lactone, formed via an intramolecular Knoevenagel condensation (Scheme 10-14). 

Horhold et al. and Lenz et al. [94,95]. The polycondensation provides the cyano-PPVs as insoluble, intractable powders. Holmes et al. [96], and later on Rikken et al. [97], described a new family of soluble, well-characterized 2,5-dialkyl- and 2,5-dialkoxy-substituted poly(pflrfl-phenylene-cyanovinylene)s (74b) synthesized by Knoevenagel condensation-polymerization of the corresponding alkyl-or alkoxy-substituted aromatic monomers. Careful control of the reaction conditions (tetra-n-butyl ammonium hydroxide as base) is required to avoid Michael-type addition. 

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