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Synthesis of Polydiynes via an Unexpected Dimerization/Polymerization Sequence of C3 Propargylic Electrophiles.

Han-Li SunBin WuDa-Qi LiuZi-Di YuJun-Jie WangQianyi LiuXingchen LiuDawen NiuJin-Hu DouRong Zhu
Published in: Journal of the American Chemical Society (2022)
Here, we describe the unexpected discovery of a Cu-catalyzed condensation polymerization reaction of propargylic electrophiles (CPPE) that transforms simple C3 building blocks into polydiynes of C6 repeating units. This reaction was achieved by a simple system composed of a copper acetylide initiator and an electron-rich phosphine ligand. Alkyne polymers (up to 33.8 kg/mol) were produced in good yields and exclusive regioselectivity with high functional group compatibility. Hydrogenation of the product afforded a new polyolefin-type backbone, while base-mediated isomerization led to a new type of dienyne-based electron-deficient conjugated polymer. Mechanistic studies revealed a new α-α selective Cu-catalyzed dimerization pathway of the C3 unit, followed by in situ organocopper-mediated chain-growth propagation. These insights not only provide an important understanding of the Cu-catalyzed CPPE of C3, C4, and C6 monomers in general but also lead to a significantly improved synthesis of polydiynes from simpler starting materials with handles for the incorporation of an α-end functional group.
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