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Polymer Bulletin, Vol.36, No.5, 525-532, 1996
A Novel Synthetic Route to Highly Cross-Linked Poly(Alkylvinylether)S - Synthesis and Free-Radical Polymerization of Ethyl Vinyl Ethers Containing the Electron-Acceptors Benzylidenemalononitrile and Benzylidenecyanoacetate
p-(2-Vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (3) and methyl p-(2-vinyloxy-ethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (4) was prepared by the condensation of p-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde with malononitrile or methyl cyanoacetate, respectively. Vinyl ether monomers 3 and 4 polymerized quantitatively with radical initiators in gamma-butyrolactone solution at 65 degrees C. The trisubstituted terminal double bond participated in the vinyl polymerization and radical polymerization of 3 and 4 led to swelling polymers 5 and 6 that were not soluble in common solvents due to cross-linking. Under the same polymerization conditions ethyl vinyl ether polymerized well with model compounds of p-methoxybenzylidenemalononitrile and methyl p-methoxybenzylidenecyanoacetate, respectively, to give 1:1 alternating copolymers 9 and 10 in high yields. Alternating copolymers 9 and 10 were soluble in common solvents such as acetone and DMSO, and the inherent viscosities of the polymers were in the range of 0.36-0.74 dL/g. Films cast from acetone solution were cloudy and tough and T-g values obtained from DSC thermograms were in the range of 59-60 degrees C.
Keywords:RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION;ALTERNATING CO-POLYMERS;ALPHA-CYANOCINNAMATE;COPOLYMERIZATION;ESTERS;ACETATE