Terpolymerization of Cyclic Ethers with Cyclic Anhydride

Abstract

A unique solution polymerization and polymer family have been discovered in the ring-opening terpolymerization of three heterocyclic monomers initiated by organometallic compounds, particularly trialkylaluminum. The products have repeating ether-ester-ester linkages along the chain and are alternating terpolymers, … ABCABCABC…, of three different monomers A, B, and C. Monomer A is a four- or five-membered cyclic oxide, such as tetrahydro-furan or oxocylobutane (oxetane). Monomer B is an epox-ide, and Monomer C is a cyclic acid anhydride. Many epoxides and anhydrides participate in the polymerization which enables the preparation of alternating terpolymers containing various substituents and unsaturatlons at regu-lar intervals along the chain. The alternating sequence can be near-perfect or less so depending on the initial monomer charge ratio. Evidence of the alternating struc-ture was obtained by chemical and NMR analyses of polymer sampled at intermediate and final conversions, and by glass transition temperatures.