Determination of the structure of polyethylarylmethylenes by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Ethyl-substituted polyarylmethylenes have been prepared by reacting ethylbenzene with bis(chloromethyl)benzene (BCMB) under Friedel-Crafts conditions. The nature of the substitution patterns in the aromatic rings has been established using 13C Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The ethyl groups can be used to distinguish between those benzene rings derived from ethylbenzene and those from BCMB and can thus facilitate an understanding of polymerization mechanisms. The structure of the products consists of di-, tri- and tetra-substituted benzene rings. Penta-, hexa- and meta di-substituted rings appear to be excluded. No chloromethyl groups could be confirmed.