Cationic polymerization of bis(1‐alkylvinyl)benzenes and related monomers, 3. Telechelics containing indane units

The synthesis and characterization of linear telechelics containing 1,1,3‐trimethylindane units via cationic polymerization is described. 1,4‐Diisopropenylbenzene (1) was polymerized in the presence of 1‐isopropenyl‐4‐methylbenzene (3a) to give a polyindane with methyl end‐groups, which was then oxidized to the corresponding carboxy‐telechelic polymer. As an alternative route for the preparation of polymers with indane units in the main chain, the step growth polymerization of suitably substituted indane derivatives was studied. In this way a polyindane with amino end‐groups was synthesized. It melts at 172°C and in DSC is stable up to ca. 300°C.