Polymerization and characterization of nitrile‐terminated diacetylene materials

Abstract

SynopsisA family of nitrile-terminated diacetylene materials were synthesized. Samples were prepared in various forms and polymerization was performed photochemically and thermally. The resulting materials exhibited low molecular weights and were obtained in low yields. Although the diacetylene group had oligomerized, no evidence was.found in support of -C=Nchain formation. Thermochromism was exhibited by the irradiated 8-nitrile sample and a molecular interpretation of this chromic transition was discussed. Diffraction data implied that strong intermolecular interactions were present between adjacent nitrile groups in the low temperature phase. I t is suggested that stresses are built up during polymerization which cause the low degree of polymerization and yield.