Simultaneous synthesis and doping of poly(1,6-heptadiyne-co-dipropargyl ether) using ionic initiators

Cyclocopolymerization of 1,6-heptadiyne with dipropargyl ether was carried out under nitrogen atmosphere using KSCN, KBr and KI as initiators in N,N-dimethyl formamide. The course of polymerization was monitored through UV–Vis spectroscopy. The rate of cyclocopolymerization was determined at different polymerization conditions and the relative efficiency of different initiators was evaluated. KSCN was found to be particularly an effective initiator for the copolymerization. The resulting dark brown colour polymer exhibits good solubility in common organic solvents. 1H-NMR, FTIR and UV–Vis spectra of poly(1,6-heptadiyne-co-dipropargyl ether) revealed that the copolymer possesses cyclic polyene units in the back bone. Doped nature of the polymer was evident from UV–Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal characteristics, conductivity and electroactivity of the copolymer were also explored.