7 - Synthesis of Poly(3-alkylthienylene ketone)s by the Pd-Catalyzed Copolymerization of Carbon Monoxide with Thienyl Mercuric Chlorides

M. David Curtis
Mark D. McClain, Cedarville University

Abstract

Poly(thienylene ketone)s are formed by the copolymerization of bis(chloromercuri)thiophenes with carbon monoxide. The reaction is carried out in hot pyridine with a Pd catalyst under 500 psi of CO. The polymers, poly(3-methylthienylene ketone), poly(3-butylthienylene ketone), and poly(3-(carboethoxymethyl)thienylene ketone), with molecular weights, Mn, ranging from 1600 to 2700, were produced. The polymers have UV−vis absorption maxima near 360 nm, assigned to π−π* transitions, and are reduced irreversibly near −1.0 V vs SCE.