Synthesis and properties of substituted polyacetylenes containing a photosensitive moiety in the side group

The synthesis of acetylene monomers with oxymethylene chains at their ends using an azo group as a mesogen was investigated. These monomers were polymerized with a Rh complex catalyst and the properties of the monomers and polymers were also investigated. It was found that all the polymers were soluble in organic solvents such as toluene, chloroform, and tetrahydrofuran. The structures of the obtained acetylene monomers were confirmed by FT/IR and H NMR. The results show that the obtained polymers exhibited photoisomerization between the trans and cis forms when irradiated by ultraviolet or visible light.