Alternating copolymerizations of styrene derivatives and carbon monoxide in the presence of a palladium(II) catalyst

A series of styrene derivatives were synthesized from aromatic substances by Friedel-Crafts acylation, reduction, and dehydration. Alternating copolymers of styrene derivatives and carbon monoxide were prepared in the presence of a palladium(II) catalyst. The characterization of the polyketones produced was performed by use of H-1-NMR, IR, WXRD, and EA methods. The thermal degradation of the regular alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide and styrene (STCO) has been studied by thermal gravimetry (TG). The TG spectra of solid samples were recorded both in nitrogen and in air. The degradation reaction order and activation energy were determined. The photodegradation of STCO was investigated. In addition, the block copolymerization of STCO with methyl methacrylate under UV irradiations was also studied. It is found that the tertiary amine can promote this photopolymerization. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.