Polymerization of β-cyanopropionaldehyde. X. Anionic copolymerization with methyl isocyanate

Anionic copolymerization of β-cyanopropionaldehyde (M₁) with methyl isocyanate (MeI, M₂) was studied with use of benzophenone–dilithium complex as initiator at ?78°C. The values of monomer reactivity ratio were determined to be r₁ = 8.3 ± 0.3 and r₂ = 0.01 ± 0.01. The structure of resulting copolymer was investigated by means of NMR analysis. The MeI unit is presumed to enter the copolymer chain through its C?N opening.