New Chemistry Exploited by Coordination Polymerization of Aromatic Monomers

The purpose of the present research is to expand the concept of coordination-insertion polymerization, which is usually used to prepare aliphatic polymers, to the synthesis of aromatic polymers. The coordination-insertion polymerization of [2.2.1]oxabicyclic alkenes, as aryne equivalents, by palladium catalysts followed by dehydration afforded poly(ortho-arylene)s. The palladium-catalyzed copolymerization of [2.2.1]oxabicyclic alkenes with carbon monoxide followed by dehydration afforded aromatic polyketones and polyacetals. The obtained poly(ortho-arylene)s were then oxidized in the presence of ferric chloride to produce graphene nanorribons. The present study provide a versatile and efficient method to synthesize aromatic polymers having ortho-arylene units.