Addition Polymerization of P=C Bonds

Addition polymerization, the most industrially important reaction of C=C bonds, has been extended to the P=C bond in a phosphaalkene (see scheme). This represents the first addition polymerization reaction reported for a heavier element multiple bond and poly(methylenephosphine) PMP is the first alternating P-C polymer.  Current projects are exploring the chemical functionality of PMPs and the mechanism of polymerization.  We have also expanded this chemistry to new functional polymers containing pendant redox-active ferrocene moieties.

                      Redox-active Ferrocene-phosphine Polymers