Coordination polymerization of ω-alkenoates and ω-epoxyalkanoates

As functional polymers have become more and more used, the need for a general synthesis of addition polymers with functional groups became greatly important. We have achieved the polymerization of ω-alkenoates with coordination initiators of the Ziegler-Natta initiation type using titanium trichloride-based transition metal initiators modified with dialkylaluminum chloride. To accomplish this polymerization required that the ω-alkenoates be precomplexed with dialkylaluminum chloride. High molecular weight homopolymers and copolymers with olefins have been obtained. The polymerization of ω-epoxyalkanoates with coordinative anionic polymerization systems based on triethylaluminum/water/acetylacetone (1.0/0.5/1.0) has also been accomplished. Homo- and copolymers of high molecular weight and of relatively narrow molecular weight distribution have been prepared. All polymers and copolymers of functional olefins and epoxides have been characterized and the study of the reactivity of the functional groups attached via a flexible spacer to the polymer main chain has been started. Special attention was given to the classical cationic copolymerization of trioxane with derivatives of ω-epoxyundecanoate to prepare novel functional polyoxymethylenes of potential commercial interest.