Cationic polymerization of 4-methyl-1,3-dioxene-4 and copolymerization with tetrahydrofuran

A new monomer, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxene-4 was synthesized from allyl chloride and paraformaldehyde. The monomer was polymerized at room temperature or ?78°C. by boron trifluoride etherate catalyst, and the structure of the obtained polymer was determined by infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, and chemical analysis. It was ascertained that the polymerization process proceeded through a ring-opening mechanism at the dioxane ring. In the presence of tetrahydrofuran, the polymerization of 4-methyl-1–1,3-dioxene-4 led to copolymer. The mechanism of the copolymerization is described in detail.