Functional Polyacetylenes

Polyacetylene (PA) is a Nobel Prize-winning macromolecule. In this work, PA is molecularly functionalized, which endows it with an array of new functional properties. The molecular functionalization is realized by attachment of functional pendants to the polyene backbone. Our efforts in the catalyst exploration and reaction optimization have led to the syntheses of a large number of PA derivatives carrying functional groups. Polymer reactions are exploited as an alternative route to the functional PAs that are difficult or impossible to access by direct polymerizations of their monomers. The new PAs with appropriate backbone-pendant combinations show various functional properties such as liquid crystallinity,…