NICKEL-COMPLEXES WITH SULFUR-CONTAINING LIGANDS AS INITIATORS OF THE POLYMERIZATION OF PHENYLACETYLENE

The polymerization reaction of phenylacetylene in the presence of Ni(ii) and Ni(iii) catalysts, i.e. [Ni(dtb)2] (dtb = dithiobenzene), [Ni(N,N-ddtc)2] (N,N-ddtc = N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate), [Ni(oatp)2] (oatp = o-aminothiophenolate), [Ni(mtb)2] (mtb = monothiobenzoate) and (Bu4N)[Ni(tdt)2] (tdt = toluene-3,4-dithiolate), gave polyphenylacetylene (PPA) in high yields and under mild reaction conditions. The complex [Ni(mtb)2] reacts at -40°C, leading to highly stereoregular PPA. Infra-red and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of PPA and conductivities (upon doping with I2 and FeCl3) are reported and discussed in comparison with literature data. © 1990.