Abstract: | Polymerization of propylene sulfide by use of triethylaluminum derivatives as initiators leads to low molecular weight polymers with irregularities in the chain, e.g. head-to-head units and disulfide bonds. Abnormal chiroptical properties due to the presence of these linkages were observed on polymerizing a levorotatory enantiomer. The formation of irregularities may be explained by the simultaneous presence of anionic and cationic mechanism and gives polymers without irregularities. |