Acidolytic and thermolytic conversion of poly(α-acetoxystyrene) derivatives to polyphenylacetylenes

Use of processable polymers as precursors to highly conjugated conducting polymers has attracted much attention recently. The authors have applied the acid-catalyzed thermolytic deprotection chemistry to preparation of polyphenylacetylene films as an alternative to polymerization of phenylacetylene monomers.