Acid Catalyzed Polymerization of Phenyl Ethane 1,2-diol for One-Pot Synthesis of Organosoluble Poly(phenylene Vinylene)

Acid catalyzed polymerization of phenyl ethane 1,2-diol is realized for the first time via a novel one-pot coupling reaction to produce organosoluble poly(phenylene vinylene). A variety of experimental conditions were investigated. PPV structure was confirmed by 13C-NMR and 1H-NMR chemical shifts. Fluorescence spectra of the polymer showed emission in the visible range, as to be expected. Average PPV molecular weights ranged from 670 to 6200 Da. The methanesulfonic acid (MesOH) catalyzed syntheses were shown to produce higher molecular weight and purity PPV than the sulfuric acid (H2SO4) counterparts, although both are able to produce organosoluble products.