Importance of the order of successive catalyst-transfer condensation polymerization in the synthesis of block copolymers of polythiophene and poly (p-phenylene)
Successive catalyst-transfer condensation polymerization of a Grignard-type phenylene monomer and then a thiophene monomer with a Ni catalyst yields well-defined block copolymers of poly (p-phenylene) and polythiophene, but the reverse order of polymerization results in polymers with broad molecular weight distribution.