Metathesis polymerization of phenylacetylene by arene metal tricarbonyl complexes promoted by chloranil acceptor

Chloranil acceptor induces metathesis polymerization and block copolymerization of phenylacetylene by (arene)M(CO)3 (arene = toluene, o-xylene, or mesitylene, M = Mo or W) complexes at ambient conditions. The mechanism of catalyst activation is one of thermal electron transfer, as suggested by spectral studies.