Novel Ethynyl functionalized monomers will be synthesized and characterized. These monomers will then be polymerized via cyclotrimerization catalyzed by transition metal catalysts to yield highly cross-linked aromatic products. The starting monomers would be low melting, low molecular weight compounds. The polymerized materials would have extended conjugation and are anticipated to be semiconducting as formed. Furthermore, treatment of the polymerized products with electron donating or electron withdrawing dopants is expected to further boost the thermal and electrical conductivities several orders of magnitude to that of metals. The polymeric materials proposed here would consist of all or nearly all aromatic ring structures. The thermal and oxidative stability of these products, therefore, is anticipated to be very high. The combination of semiconducting and/or conducting properties as well as outstanding processability and thermal stability is expected to make these materials very useful for high performance applications. SERS envisioned for these polymers include applications for EMF shielding, organic transistors, and light weight conductor runs for aerospace and deepspace applications.
