Polymerization of propargylamine and 1,1‐diethylpropargylamine by transition metal catalysts

Some polyacetylene derivatives containing an amine functional group were prepared by the polymerization of propargylamine (PA) and 1,1‐diethylpropargylamine (DEPA) with various transition metal catalysts. In the polymerization of PA, Mo‐based catalysts were more effective than that of W‐based catalysts, and organoaluminum compounds, especially EtAlCl 2 , were found to be very effective cocatalysts. In the polymerization of DEPA, Mo‐and W‐based catalyst systems showed a similar catalytic activity. The polymerization easily proceeded in polar solvents such as nitrobenzene and DMF as well as nonpolar aromatic solvents such as chlorobenzene, toluene, etc. The resulting poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were insoluble in organic solvents regardless of polymerization catalysts but the polymers were found to be stable to air oxidation. Thermogravimetric analyses and thermal transitions of poly(PA) and poly(DEPA) were also studied.