Oxidative Polymerization of 2,6‐Dimethylphenol To Form Poly(2,6‐dimethyl‐1,4‐phenyleneoxide) in Water

Green polymerization: The simple stirring of 2, 6-dimethylphenol with an excess of oxidant or a catalytic amount of a copper complex in an alkaline aqueous solution yields poly (2, 6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenyleneoxide), a commercially important polymer (see scheme). The formed polymer was easily separated as an off-white powder by filtration. Supporting information for this article is available on the WWW under http: //www. wiley-vch. de/contents/jc₂002/2004/z52764ₛ. pdf or from the author. Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.