No abstract

The effects of oxygen-containing compounds was investigated for the WC16-catalyzed polymerization of phenylacetylene. A catalyst composed of WCls, phenylacetylene (as a reducing agent) and 1,4-dioxane (as modifier) (1: 1:0.1 in molar ratio) was found to be very effective. Catalysts consisting of two out of the above three components were not so effective. The addition of a larger amount of 1,4-dioxane brought about an induction period. A variety of oxygen-containing compounds such as ethers (1,4-dioxane, tetrahydropyran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dibutyl ether, anisole, phenetole), ketones (acetone, 2-butanone), ethanol, and water served as modifiers. Tungsten (VI) was reduced by the addition of phenylacetylene, but not reduced by 1,4dioxane. The functions of modifiers were discussed.