The Mechanism Research of Copper （Ⅱ）-Catalyzed Polymerization of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenols

The copper（Ⅱ）-catalyzed polymerization of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol was studied. Its polymer’s structure was confirmed by elementary analysis, IR （infrared） and NMR （Nuclear Magnetic Resonance）. The 2,4,6-trichloro-phenoxo-copper （Ⅱ） complex intermediate was isolated. The elementary analysis, ESR （Electron Spin Resonance） spectra of the copper （Ⅱ） complex was discussed in relation to its structure. Decomposition of the copper （Ⅱ） complex in refluxing benzene yielded poly （dichlorophenylene oxide）. ESR measurements on the copper （Ⅱ） complex in the solid state at 120℃ indicated that the phenoxy radical was generated during the period of decomposition and the intensity of the ESR spectra based on copper （Ⅱ） ion decreased with the measurement time. Single electron transfer reaction mechanism was proposed for the copper （Ⅱ）-catalyzed polymerization through the 2,4,6-trichlorophenoxo-copper （Ⅱ） complex intermediate.