Abstract: | A new series of cationically polymerizable mono-, di- and multifunctional 1-butenyl ether monomers have been prepared in high yields by the ruthenium catalyzed isomerization of the corresponding crotyl (2-butenyl) ethers. Their straightforward synthesis and high reactivity in photoinitiated cationic polymerization make these monomers highly attractive for a variety of applications. Cationic polymerization rate studies showed that these monomers exhibited comparable reactivity to their related vinyl and 1-propenyl ether analogues. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |