Poly[(2-chloroethyl)oxirane], poly[(3-chloropropyl)-oxirane] and poly[(4-chlorobutyl)oxirane]: New polyether elastomers of improved chemical reactivity

(2-Chloroethyl)oxirane, (3-chloropropyl)oxirane, and (4-chlorobutyl)oxirane were prepared from the corresponding alkenols and polymerized using a triethylaluminum-water-acetylacetone initiator system. Copolymerizations with propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin were also accomplished; the copolymerization activities of the (chloroalkyl)oxiranes were similar to the activity of epichlorohydrin. Poly[(2-chloroethyl)oxirane], poly[(3-chloropropyl)oxirane], and poly[(4-chlorobutyl)oxirane] exhibit elastomeric properties and are highly reactive in nucleophilic substitution reactions.