On the synthesis of dimethoxybenzyl cinnamates, monomers for electron transfer polymers

An economical way to obtain new monomers, precursors of electron transfer polymers, is described. These monomers were obtained by a Heck reaction between amino or halogeno-2,5-dimethoxydiarylmethane and methylacrylate. Different routes for the ionic reduction of various acetophenones to the corresponding diarylmethanes were studied. The yields and the nature of the by-products was stongly dependent upon the reaction conditions.