Mutual Conversion between Stretched and Contracted Helices and its External Stimuli Induced Drastic Colors and Geometrical Structures Changes of Substituted Polyacetylenes Prepared with an Organo-Rhodium Catalyst

Abstract

Unique conversions between stretched and contracted helices of mono-substituted polyacetylenes (SPA)s prepared with an organo rhodium complex-amine catalytic system were demonstrated. The conversions of aromatic SPAs with a drastic color change were caused by polymerization solvents used, substituents in the phenyl ring, and external stimuli like heat- and solvent-treatments which were induced in the solid state. The helices of aliphatic polyacetylenes was oscillating just like spring or coil which was synchronizing with the restricted rotation around the ester O-*C bond in the solution. The oscillation mode was named as an accordion-like helix oscillation “HELIOS”. All the conversions were attributed to the difference of the thermodynamical stability between stretched and contracted helices.