Polymerization of Anisole Derivatives Containing Allyl or Chloromethyl Group Through Aromatic Electrophilic Substitution Reaction

4-Allylanisole was polymerized with AlCl3 as a catalyst. The polymerization was carried out in nitroethane at various temperatures with changing the ratio of the initiator to the monomer concentration. The weight averge molecular weights measured by gel permeation chromatography in chloroform with polystyrene standards were between 1,500 and 4,700. 1H NMR spectroscopy showed that the polymerization proceeded through a stepwise aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction along with a minor chain-reaction, resulting in a branched polymer. 4-Chloromethylanisole was also polymerized with AlCl3 in nitroethane through an aromatic electrophilic substitution reaction to give a high molecular weight polymer (Mw=88,000).