Polymerization of acetylenes carrying precursors of aminyl radicals

In the search for organic ferromagnets polymers with a conjugated backbone and pendant persistent radicals are one route of interest. The synthesis of poly[4‐(4‐ethynylphenyl)‐2′,4′,6′‐trinitro‐2,6‐diphenyldiphenylamine] (p‐3) and poly[4‐(3‐ethynylphenyl)‐2′,4′,6′‐trinitro‐2,6‐diphenyldiphenylamine] (m‐3) as precursors of polyradicals are described. A dinuclear rhodium cyclooctadiene chloride complex as polymerization catalyst was used to yield polymers with molecular weights (gel‐permeation chromatography) of 100 000 for m‐3 and 210 000 for p‐3 .