Synthesis of Poly(Dinaphthylene Ether) by Oxidative Coupling Polymerization of Di(1-Naphthoxy)Pentane Using Cobalt (III) Acetylacetonate

Abstract

Poly(dinaphthylene ether) was prepared by oxidative coupling polymerization of 1,5-di(naphthoxy)pentane. Polymerizations were conducted in 1,2-dichloroethane in the presence of cobalt (III) acetylacetonate and methanesulfonic acid at room temperature and produced poly(dinaphthylene ether)s with number-average molecular weights up to 10 000. The polymer structure was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopies, and selective coupling was found to occur at the C-4 position of the 1-substituted naphthalene ring. The model reactions were studied to demonstrate the feasibility of polymer formation.