Isomeric copolymers of acetylenes

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Abstract
The triple bond opening in the cis position during Ziegler polymerization of acetylenes does not result however in pure cis polymers. The heat of polymerization and the exothermal effect of catalyst destroying has been found to be responsible for the variable cis content due to cis‐trans thermal isomerization. The cis‐trans thermal isomerization is accompanied by cyclization and scission of the polymer chains. These side reactions lead to copolymer structures instead of homopolymer ones. These processes probably determine the low thermal stability of the polymers (even at room temperature), and at the same time allow the interpretation of the order‐disorder phenomenon found by Ehrlich in the case of high crystalline polyphenylacetylene at about 120°C.