Structures of three crystal modifications of poly(3,3-dimethyloxacyclobutane)

Three crystal modifications of poly(3,3-dimethyloxacyclobutane) [? CH₂C(CH₃)₂CH₂O? ]_n were found and their structures were analyzed by x-ray diffraction. Modification I is obtained only under tension and disappears on relaxing the tension. From the fiber period of 4.83 Å, the molecular structure seems to be planar zigzag. In modification II, two chains in T₃GT₃? conformation pass through a monoclinic cell with parameters a = 8.93 Å, b = 7.48 Å, c (fiber axis) = 8.35 Å, β = 97.9°, and the space group P2₁/c-C. In modification III, two (T₂G₂)₂ chains pass through an orthorhombic cell with parameters a = 15.60 Å, b = 5.74 Å, c (fiber axis) = 6.51 Å, and the space group, C222₁–D. Molecular conformations of the three crystal modifications correspond to those of polyoxacyclobutane.