Isomeric Poly(benzophenone)s: synthesis of Highly Crystalline Poly(4,4'-benzophenone) and Amorphous Poly(2,5-benzophenone), a Soluble Poly(p-phenylene) Derivative

Nickel-catalyzed polymerization which employs the coupling of isomeric dichlorobenzophenones is described. The polymerization utilizes inexpensive readily available monomers, 4,4-dichlorobenzophenone (4,4'-DCBP) and 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone (2,5-DCBP). The poly(4,4'-benzophenone) can be derivatized to be soluble during the synthesis by the use of a ketimine precursor that is subsequently hydrolyzed to give the target material. The polymerization of 2,5-dichlorobenzophenone yields a soluble derivative of poly(p-phenylene). The resulting polymers were characterized to confirm the composition, molar mass, and thermal properties. The Ni(O) catalyzed route proves to be facile and economically feasible and opens the way to a large variety of heterocyclic and phenyl-based homo- and copolymers