Unveiling a Masked Polymer of Dewar Benzene Reveals trans-Poly(acetylene)

Abstract

A dibromo derivative of Dewar benzene, trans-5,6-dibromobicyclo[2.2.0]hex-1-ene, was polymerized using ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). The reaction proceeded in a controlled manner as changing the initial monomer-to-catalyst ratio afforded monodispersed polymers with tunable molecular weights and growing polymer chains were extended upon subsequent exposure to additional monomer. Treatment of the halogenated polymers with an alkyllithium reagent resulted in elimination followed by isomerization to afford trans-poly(acetylene). Based on a series of mechanistic and spectroscopic studies, the transformation was proposed to proceed through a cyclobutenyl intermediate that undergoes rearrangement. The methodology was found to be versatile as triblock copolymers containing the halogenated homopolymer were prepared and converted to their poly(acetylene)-containing derivatives. The polymers were characterized using gel permeation chromatography as well as a range of spectroscopic (NMR, FT-IR, UV-vis, and Raman) and analytical techniques.