| Abstract: | Poly‐β‐amides (nylons 3) were synthesized via the anionic polymerization of a series of 4‐alkyl‐4‐methyl‐2‐azetidinones where the alkyl group is a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or pentyl. The “non‐assisted” polymerization was conducted under vacuum, in the bulk, at 160°C, using potassium 2‐pyrrolidonate as catalyst, whereas the “assisted” polymerization was carried in dimethylsulfoxide, at room temperature, using N‐acetylpyrrolidinone‐2 as activator but it gave no polymer with a propyl or bulkier side group. Side reactions occur in all cases. X‐ray spectra showed that poly(4‐alkyl‐4‐methyl‐2‐azetidinone)s are amorphous with propyl, butyl, and pentyl groups, and semi‐crystalline with methyl or ethyl substituents. Both semi‐crystalline polyamides exhibit an extended planar zigzag conformation, with a fiber identity period along the c axis of 4.9 Å. Glass transition temperatures, melting temperatures, and/or decomposition temperatures are also reported. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 761–769, 1999 |
