Synthesis and Properties of Poly(2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium bromide)

Ionic conjugated polymer, poly(2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium bromide), was prepared by the cyclopolymerization of 2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium bromide on using various transition metal catalysts, or by thermal methods without adding catalyst. The polymerization of 2-ethynyl-N-propargylpyridinium bromide catalyzed by PdCl2 gave the resulting polymers in relatively high yields. The polymer structure was characterized by various instrumental methods to confirm the conjugated polymer backbone structure carrying cumulated pyridine moiety. The polymers prepared by PdCl2 in DMSO or m-cresol were completely soluble in DMF, DMSO, and formic acid. The inherent viscosities of the resulting polymers were in the range of 0.07-0.19 dL/g. Thermal properties of the polymers were also discussed.