Oxidative coupling polymerization of p-alkoxyphenols with Mn(acac)2-ethylenediamine catalysts

Abstract

The oxidative coupling polymerization of p alkoxyphenols with Mn(acac)2ethylenediamine catalysts was carried out. The polymerization of pmethoxyphenol with the manganese(II) acetylacetonate [Mn(acac)2]N,N’diethylethylene diamine catalyst in CH2Cl2 at room temperature under an O2 atmosphere afforded a polymer, which mainly consists of the mphenylene unit, whereas the polymer obtained with Mn(acac)2 was rich in the oxyphenylene structure. The polymer yield and regioselectivity were significantly affected by the monomer and catalyst structures. The former catalyst system was also used for the coupling reaction of 2methoxy 4methylphenol. The corresponding carboncar bon coupling product was isolated with a regioselectivity of 95%.