On the polymerization of acetylenic derivatives. XIX. Synthesis of poly (α‐ethynyl naphtalene) and its electrophysical properties

The polymerization of α‐ethynyl naphtalene, (EN) with Ziegler soluble catalysts and tertiary phosphine‐transition metal complexes has been investigated. The following catalysts, MeII(dmg)2. 2X/Al(R)2R′, (where MeII = Fe, Ni; dmg = dimethylglyoxime; X = pyridine, Py, or NH3; R = C2H5, i ‐ C4H9 and R′ = C2H5, i‐C4H9, Cl), specific to cis polymerization of acetylenic monomers and (PPh3)a. MeXb (where Ph = C6H5; a = 2,3; Me = transition metal of group VIII; X = Cl, Br, I, SCN and b = 2, 1) specific to trans polymerization of these monomers have been used. The influence of some reaction parameters (i.e., polymerization temperature, temperature of the first catalyst‐monomer contact, catalyst nature and concentration, etc.) have been followed and two different mechanisms of EN with the said catalysts were proposed. The obtained polymers were analysed from the point of view of their structural and electrophysical properties.