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Direct Observation of α-Chloro-p-quinodimethane as the Real Monomer in the Gilch Polymerization Leading to Poly(p-phenylene vinylene)s

✍ Scribed by Jens Wiesecke; Matthias Rehahn


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
2007
Tongue
English
Weight
159 KB
Volume
28
Category
Article
ISSN
1022-1336

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✦ Synopsis


Abstract

It is the general consensus that in Gilch polymerizations the 1,4‐bis(chloromethylene)benzene starting material first changes into p‐quinodimethane intermediates which then act as the real monomers. However, direct observation of these intermediates has not been possible so far. This is because usually the p‐quinodimethane auto‐initiates its rapid radical polymerization instantaneously, keeping its concentration extremely low throughout the whole process. Here it is shown that, when the reaction is carried out at very low temperatures, the formation of p‐quinodimethane still proceeds but chain growth is suppressed. Hence, the concentration of the active monomer reaches a level sufficient for NMR analysis.

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