Polymers of carbonic acid. XVII. Polymerization of cyclobis(tetramethylene carbonate) by means of BuSnCl3 and Sn(II) 2-ethylhexanoate

Dimeric cyclotetramethylene carbonate (TeMC)₂ was polymerized in bulk at 185°C. Either nBuSnCl₃ or Sn(II)2-ethylhexanoate (SnOct₂) were used as catalysts. SnOct₂ proved to be somewhat less reactive, but high yields (up to 93%) and high viscosities (ν_inh up to 0.85 dL/g) were obtained with both catalysts. Viscosity-average molecular weights (M_v) in the range of 50–75 × 10³ were determined. The isolated crystalline poly(tetramethylene carbonate)s were characterized by IR, ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectra, DSC measurements and WAXD powder pattern. CH₂OH and octoate end groups were detected by means of ¹H-NMR spectroscopy when SnOct₂ was used as initiator, but ether groups were absent. DSC measurements revealed that poly(tetramethylene carbonate) is a slowly crystallizing polymer with a degree of crystallinity below 50% and a melting temperature in the range of 64–69°C depending on the molecular weight. Thermogravimetric analyses proved that polyTeMC decomposes completely between 240 and 340°C without leaving a residue. CO₂ and tetrahydrofuran were the main degradation products. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.