| Abstract: | 1-Acryloxy-2-butyne and 1-methacryloxy-2-butyne were synthesized and polymerized by means of anionic initiators to soluble linear polymers containing acetylenic bonds in the pendant side chains. In contrast, insoluble, crosslinked polymers were formed when cationic and radical initiators were used. The unpolymerized acetylenic bonds in the resulting linear polymers were shown to be present by infrared spectroscopic methods and by the following post-reactions of these bonds: (1) the thermal- and radical-initiated crosslinking of the linear polymers through the acetylenic bonds; (2) the post-bromination of the acetylenic bonds; and (3) the reaction of decaborane with the acetylenic bonds. The anionic copolymerization of both monomers with a number of selected monomers was performed and the copolymer reactivity ratios for several of the comonomer pairs were determined. Dibromination of the linear polymers affords self-extinguishing polymers with apparently good hydrolytic stability. Decarbonation of the linear polymers yields soluble polymers which do not soften up to 300°C. The linear polymers and copolymers, as well as their partially brominated and partially decaboronated products, may be classified as “self-reactive” polymers which yield thermosetting polymers. |
