Cationic ring-opening polymerization

Abstract

Advances in the major areas of the cationic ring-opening polymerizations are discussed. In the first part synthesis of new polymers is reviewed; this includes mainly novel block and graft copolymers based on the di- and multicationically ended living polyacetals and polyethers (polyTHF). Recent data on thermodynamics of nonideal systems, giving dependence of [M]e on [M]o, are summarized with special emphasize of the differences between monomers due to variation of their nucleophilicities. Discussion of kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization of cyclic acetals and ethers is focused on the macroring formation and reactivities of active centers. The reactivity of covalent and various ionic growing species are compared in the polymerization of cyclic ethers (THF and oxepane) and oxazolines. Reasons for much lower reactivity of covalent than ionic species and reasons for similar reactivities of macroion-pairs and macroions are presented. It is shown, that the kinetically controlled proportions of macrorings in the polymerization of these and other heterocyclic monomers depend on the structure of the end-groups, formed upon initiation. Initiation with acids, giving H-X∼ (where X=heteroatom) end-groups, leads to the kinetically enhanced proportion of macrorings. This is particularly important for the low degrees of polymerization.