Cationic polymerization of cyclohexyl vinyl ether within MCM‐41 channels

Cationic polymerization of cyclohexyl vinyl ether (CHVE) within mesoporous, siliceous molecular sieves (MCM‐41) yields novel MCM‐41‐polyCHVE host‐guest hybrid materials. Initiation within the channel can be achieved by triphenylmethylium or bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)methylium silanolate ion pairs, as well as by mobile acidic silanols to a certain extent. Generation of the carbenium ions on MCM‐41 is investigated by a special UV/VIS technique. The structure of poly(vinyl ether) generated within the channels of MCM‐41 depends on the mechanism of initiation as shown by means of solid state ¹³C{¹H} and ²⁹Si{¹H} CP MAS NMR spectroscopy.