Quinodimethane polymerization

An interesting example of the application of the theory is a prediction of a new route to polyamantane by polymerization of -quinodi-methane 121h The first step would be n-n overlapping interaction. The HO and LU of quinodimethane are indicated in Fig. 7.40 a. The mode of n HO-LU interaction and the possible structure of polyamantane derived therefrom (Type I polymer) can be seen in Fig. 7.40b. On the other hand, the direction of the hybridization change would be controlled by the a-n interaction. The nodal property of n HO and a LU of the monomeric unit are as shown in Fig. 7.40 c, so that the hybridized states of carbon atoms might change into the form illustrated in Fig. 7.40d to lead to the Type II polymer. 

A. Issaris, D. Vanderzande, and J. Gelan, Polymerization of a p-quinodimethane derivative to a precursor of poly (p-phenylene vinylene) — indications for a free radical mechanism, Polymer, 38 2571-2574, 1997. 

Copolymers of [60] fullerene and in situ generated bis-o-quinodimethanes were prepared by Gtigel and colleagues114. In order to get soluble polymers, it proved necessary to introduce flexible groups on the bis-o-quinodimethanes. A maximum of 10 [60]fullerene units were incorporated into oligomers when [60]fullerene was reacted with a 7 3 mixture of 157 and 158 (i.e. with o-quinodimethanes 159 and 160). Monosulfone 158 was added to induce the formation of triple cycloadducts of [60]fullerene. This prevented polymerization of the oligomer (quadruple cycloadditions to [60]fullerene are hard to accomplish) and enhanced its solubility. 

Overall then, the literature indicates that the pyrolysis products of be-nzocyclobutene arise from the initial formation of o-quinodimethane which can, depending upon the reaction conditions, react to form either cyclic products or linear oligomers. Relating all of this to the structure of the polymers obtained from bisbenzocyclobutenes is somewhat difficult since the chemical systems and reaction conditions described in the various papers are rather different to those encountered in a typical bisbenzocyclobutene polymerization. Nevertheless, certain speculations have been made which are at least to a first approximation consistent with the experimental evidence available thus far. 

An alternative polymerization mechanism and polymer architecture has been proposed by Kirchhoff [1, 2, 3], Tan and Arnold [77], By this mechanism, polybenzocyclobutenes which do not contain reactive sites of unsaturation are proposed to polymerize by the 1,4 addition of the o-quinodimethane intermediates to give a substantially linear poly(o-xylylene) structure. Since the monomers all contain at least two benzocyclobutene units the net result of this reaction will to a first approximation be a ladder type polymer as shown in Fig. 17. The formation of a true ladder polymer however would require that all... 

The use of benzocyclobutene as the source of the diene in a Diels-Alder polymerization offers a unique solution to the problems described above. Benzocyclobutene containing monomers can be stored indefinitely at room temperature without concern for further advancement of the molecular weight. It is only when benzocyclobutene is heated to temperatures of approximately 200 °C that the reactive diene, o-quinodimethane, is formed at a significant rate and enters into reaction with the dienophile. The only requirement of the dienophile is that it must be stable at these temperatures and not undergo reaction with itself. The most common dienophiles that have been successfully used in the formation of polymers from AB type benzocyclobutene monomers have been acetylenes, olefins and maleimides. 

Iwatsuki S (1984) A review on the polymerization of o-quinodimethane compounds Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, Advances in Polymer Science 58 93... 

Repetitive Diels-Alder reactions utilizing bis-ort/io-quinodimethane units have been employed[14bl for the construction of polymeric and oligomeric [60]-fullerenes with molecular weights up to 80,000 amu. The potential of using this method for dendrimer construction was suggested. 

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