A general synthetic route to high molecular weight poly(p-xylylene)-derivatives: a new route to poly(p-phenylene vinylene)

A new synthetic route to high molecular weight poly(p-xylylene)-derivatives 4 has been investigated. If the substituents on the ethylene segment could be eliminated (4a-b) this method provides a new route to PPV from a precursor polymer that is amenable to conventional non-aqueous processing techniques. The effect of basic reagents on the high molecular weight 4 has been explained as a degradation mechanism.