Preparation, Structural and Spectral Properties of Poly(2-ethynylbenzyl alcohol)

Abstract

A hydroxy group-containing polyacetylene, poly(2-ethynylbenzyl alcohol) [poly(EBA)] was prepared by the polymerization of 2-ethynylbenzyl alcohol by using various transition metal catalysts. This polymerization proceeded in somewhat mild manner to give in moderate yield. The instrumental analysis data on the chemical structure of poly( EBA) indicated that the present polymer have a conjugated polymer backbone system with the designed substituents. The photoluminescence peak of polymer was observed at 525 nm, which is corresponded to the photon energy of 2.36 eV and the band gap of poly( EBA) was 2.38 eV. The cyclovoltamograms of the polymer exhibited the irreversible electrochemical behaviors. It was found that the kinetics of the redox process of this conjugated polymer might be mainly controlled by the diffusion process from the experiment of the oxidation current density of polymer versus the scan rate.