Dehydropolycondensation of thiophenol catalysed by MoCl5 and WCl6

Abstract Synthesis of polyphenylenethiols by dehydropolycondensation catalysed by MoCl 5 and WCl 6 is described and optimum conditions with a yield of 75–80% and with the retention of mercapto groups in the macromolecule,e established.