Synthesis of mainly linear poly(dichlorophenylene oxide)s by thermal polymerization in solution

Thermal decomposition of bis(4-bromo-2,6-dichlorophenoxo)-(N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethy-lenediamiene)copper(II) complex in toluene, bis(4-bromo-2,6-dichlorophenoxo)(N,N-dimethyl-formamide)copper(II) complex in N,N-dimethylformamide and bis(4-bromo-2,6-dichlorophenoxo)(dimethyl sulfoxide)copper(II) complex in dimethyl sulfoxide was achieved at 70°C. 4-Bromo-2,6-dichlorophenol derivatives prefer 1,4-addition to 1,2-addition, leading to highly linear polymers irrespective of the substituted ligands. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy and C, H, N elemental analysis. The characterization of the synthesized polymers were achieved by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The highest polymer yield was obtained from the decomposition of bis(4-bromo-2,6-dichlorophenoxo)(N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-ethylenediamine)copper(II) complex.