Towards a new type of step growth polymerization: Synthesis of dehydro-oligomers of 2,6- and 2,7-dimethylanthraquinone

Treatment of 2,6-dimethylanthraquinone and/or 2,7-dimethylanthraquinone with strong base affords, in good yields, oligomers consisting of anthraquinone units linked by ethylene or ethane units. These are formed by a new type of step growth oligomerization that can be summarized conveniently as the linking together of diradical-dianions, followed by air oxidation of the products.