Anionic polymerization of cyanoacetylene (propiolnitrile)

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Abstract
Cyanoacetylene can be polymerized into linear polymers at low temperatures by anionic initiators. The polymers are brown to black amorphous powders, soluble in polar organic solvents. Their molecular weights are of the order of several thousands and the presence of the acidic acetylenic hydrogen does not seem to be an inhibiting factor in polymerization. Some general features of the polymerization and the products obtained are discussed. It is possible to synthesize copolymers with acrylonitrile, which show spectral and solution properties intermediate between those of the two homopolymers. The difference in structure between the materials obtained after pyrolysis of polyacrylonitrile and polycyanoacetylene is discussed.