Palladium‐mediated copolymerization of diazocarbonyl compounds with phenyldiazomethane

Phenyldiazomethane was found to be polymerized by the reaction with palladium‐based initiating systems. Homopolymerization of phenyldiazomethane afforded a polymer, whose main chain consists of phenylmethylene framework (–CHPh–) and azo groups (–NN–). The incorporation of the azo group was suggested from the results of elemental analyses, and confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. Palladium‐mediated copolymerization of phenyldiazomethane with ( E )‐1‐diazo‐3‐nonen‐2‐one or ethyl diazoacetate proceeded to give copolymers having phenylmethylene framework, azo group, and acylmethylene or ethoxycarbonylmethylene framework in the main chain, with a variety of their compositions.