Modified catalytic systems for oxidative dehydropolycondensation of benzene

New cocatalysts are suggested for the synthesis of polyphenylene (PP) by oxidative polycondensation using CuCl2 as an oxidant. The addition of fluorinated sulfoacid to the conventional catalytic system (AlCl3-CuCl2) results in a 40% increase in the degree of polycondensation of the polymer obtained. This is, evidently, due to the formation of the mixed salt of the acid and aluminum chloride. Being an efficient dopant of the growing chain, this salt prevents the adhesion of the species, which cause the formation of the solid phase at initial stages of polycondensation. shown that liquid monoalkoxy aluminum chlorides do not catalyze the synthesis of PP. It is assumed to be due to insufficient oxidation potentials of these compounds. The use of solid AlCl2(OCH(CF3)2) as a cocatalyst results in polyphenylene. Some characteristics of the polymer obtained are presented.