Chemical Modification of Poly(epichlorohydrin) Using Montmorillonite Clay

Cationic ring opening polymerization of epichlorohydrin ( 1 ) and acetic anhydride in the presence of Maghnite‐ H (Mag‐H⁺) as a catalyst afforded, ω‐diacetylated poly(epichlorohydrin) ( P1 ) in a moderate yield and molecular weight without formation of side products and degradation. P1 was chemically modified with morpholine ( 2 ), piperidine ( 3 ) and pyrrolidine ( 4 ) into the corresponding new functional poly(epichlorohydrin)s ( P2 – P4 ) in a moderate reaction conversion . The conversion of P1 into P2 – P4 was confirmed by using FTIR and NMR spectroscopy and the yield was calculated from the elemental analysis data according to the mole fraction concept. The obtained functional polymers were further characterized by thermal analysis which showed a substantial increase of the glass transition temperature (T_g). Thus, the chemical modification of α,ω‐acetylated PECH using Mag‐H⁺ offers a simple method for obtaining functional polymers. Mag‐H⁺ is a montmorillonite sheet silicate clay exchanged with proton.