Polymerization of propargyl alcohol: comparison of the catalytic activity of Pd and Rh complexes

Abstract The propargyl alcohol has been polymerized in the presence of [Pd(CCCH 2 OH) 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] and [Rh(cod)Cl] 2 catalysts and polymers (POHP) with different structures are obtained. By comparison with polyphenylacetylene, a cis -transoidal configuration of POHP prepared with the Rh(I) catalyst may be suggested. The characterization of POHP has been performed by means of i.r., n.m.r., SEM and g.p.c. measurements. Doping with I 2 , the associated isomerization process and the resistance variations are also discussed.