The coordination polymerization of
(n-octyloxy)allene (2) was carried out by
π-allylnickel
catalysts possessing various carboxylate ligands
(1a−1c). The electronic character of the
carboxylate
ligand strongly influences the polymerization.
Electron-withdrawing groups provide a living system
that
produces polymers with well-defined molecular weights and narrow
molecular weight distributions in
high yields. Without electron-withdrawing substituents, the
reaction produces oligomeric byproducts.
The ratio of 1,2- to 2,3-polymerization unit in the polymer
increased with the electron-withdrawing
character of carboxylate ligands. π-Allylnickel catalysts
bearing halide ligands (1d, 1e, and
1f/Na2S2O3)
also gave polymers from 2 in high yields, in which the
polymerization rate, the microstructure, and the
molecular weight distributions
(M
w/M
n) of polymers were
dependent upon the specific halide. The catalyst
with chloride (1d) afforded a polymer with narrow
M
w/M
n (1.03), possessing
the ratio of 1,2- to
2,3-polymerization unit of 6:94, whereas with iodide
(1f/Na2S2O3), the
polymerization took place much
faster to give a polymer (1,2-:2,3-polymerization unit = 16:84) with
a little broader M
w/M
n
(1.10).