title: Polybenzimidazole-supported [Rh(cod)Cl]2 complex: effective catalyst for the polymerization of substituted acetylenes.
abstract: The first heterogeneous catalyst which affords polymerization of substituted acetylenes into readily available high molecular weight polymers is reported. The catalyst (Rh/PBI) has been prepared by supporting di-mu-chloro-bis(eta4-cycloocta-1,5-diene)dirhodium(I), [Rh(cod)Cl]2, on commercial polybenzimidazole (PBI) porous beads by means of a simple quantitative adsorption from THF solution, and tested in polymerization of phenylacetylene, 4-fluorophenylacetylene, and 4-pentylphenylacetylene. The polymer molecules formed were found to be released from the Rh/PBI to surrounding solution during the polymerization performed in THF. Formation of high molecular weight ((M)w values up to 325,000) polymers in prevailing cis-transoid configuration has been observed with all monomers. In a comparison with free [Rh(cod)Cl]2 used as the homogeneous catalyst, the Rh/PBI can be used repeatedly, exhibits somewhat lower polymerization activity but almost no oligomerization activity, and provides polymers of higher molecular weight.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Macromolecular Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sedlácek
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pacovská
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rédrová
authors.forename: Hynek
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Balcar
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Biffis
authors.forename: Benedetto
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Corain
authors.forename: Jirí
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vohlídal