Poly(phenylcarbyne): A polymer precursor to diamond-like carbon

The synthesis of poly(phenylcarbyne), one of a class of carbon-based random network polymers, is reported. The network backbone of this polymer is composed of tetrahedrally hybridized carbon atoms, each bearing one phenyl substituent and linking, by means of three carbon-carbon single bonds, into a three-dimensional random network of fused rings. This atomic-level carbon network backbone confers unusual properties on the polymer, including facile thermal decomposition, which yields diamond or diamond-like carbon phases at atmospheric pressure.