Synthesis and Characterization of Poly[propargyl(3-methoxy-4-propargyloxy)cinnamate]: a Polymer from a Natural Product

A natural compound, ferulic acid, was reacted with propargyl bromide to obtain a bisacetylenic monomer, and it was polymerized by the oxidative coupling polymerization to obtain a novel polyetherester. The diacetylene-containing polymer is amorphous and soluble in most organic solvents, and gave mechanically tough transparent films on casting from its chloroform solution. The polymer film underwent cross-linking when heated or irradiated with UV light. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009