Phosphazene-Promoted Metal-Free Ring-Opening Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide Initiated by Carboxylic Acid

• Published in: Macromolecules Vol. 47; no. 5; pp. 1693 - 1698
• Main Authors: Zhao, Junpeng, Pahovnik, David, Gnanou, Yves, Hadjichristidis, Nikos
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 11.03.2014
• Subjects: Applied sciences; carboxylic acids; engineering; ethylene oxide; Exact sciences and technology; Physicochemistry of polymers; polyethylene glycol; Polymerization; Polymers and radiations; transesterification; Strong base; Ethylene oxide polymer; Ring opening polymerization; Base catalysis; Carboxylic acid; Priming activity; Living polymer; Reaction mechanism; Anionic polymerization; Phosphorus compound; Experimental study; Catalyst activity

The effectiveness of carboxylic acid as initiator for the anionic ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide was investigated with a strong phosphazene base (t-BuP4) used as promoter. Kinetic study showed an induction period, i.e., transformation of carboxylic acid to hydroxyl ester, followed by...