Synthesis of poly(phenylene methylenes) via a AlCl 3 ‐mediated Friedel–Craft alkylation of multi‐substituted benzyl bromide with benzene

A facile AlCl 3 ‐mediated Friedel–Craft alkylation between a multi‐substituted benzyl bromide and benzene is established, in which a wide set of poly(phenylene methylenes) (MMSs) are synthesized through a two‐step strategy under metal‐free conditions with high yields (slightly lower than theoretical yields). The resulting MMSs, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography, UV–vis and fluorescence spectrometry, feature large molecular mass, outstanding fluorescence, and excellent thermal/chemical stabilities. Moreover, a gram‐scale reaction was carried out under the standard conditions to produce MMSs, exhibiting a promising potential application in industrial practice. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137 , 48779.