| Abstract: | Homopolymerization and copolymerization of trioxane by use of various catalysts have been investigated. When MoO2(AcAc)2 is employed, crystalline homopolymers and copolymers as formed from polymerization exhibit significantly higher melting points than corresponding polymers prepared by use of ordinary cationic catalysts. The higher melting points are attributed to different morphology of the polymer chains formed during polymerization. We now call this phenomenon morphospecific polymerization. This communication describes our results in the copolymerization of trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane and some outstanding properties of the copolymers. A polymerization mechanism is also proposed. |
