Atom Transfer Rearrangement Radical Polymerization of Diammine-Bis(2,4,6 Complexes in the Solid State

Abstract

The synthesis of the poly(dichloro- or dibromophenylene oxide)s was achieved by the thermal decomposition of diammine-bis(2,4,6-trihalophenolato)copper(II) complexes in the solid state by atom transfer rearrangement radical polymerization. The thermal decomposition was performed either at different temperature ranges, 110-250 degrees C, for 3 h, or at the maximum conversion temperature for different time intervals, 3-48 h. Maximum yields of polymers were obtained at 190 degrees C and 3 h. The polymers were characterized by FTIR, H-1 and C-13 NMR spectroscopy, SEM, TGA and molecular weight determination by viscometrical methods. All the polymers were rigid, having high T-g values between 178 and 189 degrees C. Only small amounts of Cu were detected by AAS.