Cationic polymerization of a cycloaliphatic diepoxide with latent initiators in the presence of structurally different diols

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 44; no. 10; pp. 2853 - 2858
• Main Authors: Hartwig, A., Koschek, K., Lühring, A., Schorsch, O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cationic polymerization; Epoxide; Exact sciences and technology; Physicochemistry of polymers; Polyetherdiol; Polymerization; Polymers and radiations; Polyetherdiol; Cationic polymerization; Epoxide; Reaction accelerator; Diepoxide; Ring opening polymerization; Bulk polymerization; Telechelic polymer; Reagent polymer; Ether polymer; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Reaction retarder; Ethylene oxide polymer; Cyclic ether polymer; Photopolymerization; Reaction acceleration; Reaction inhibition; Crosslinked polymer; Hydroxyl group; Propylene oxide copolymer; Mechanism of action; Comparative study; Butene oxide polymer
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/S0032-3861(03)00153-8

The influence of different polyether based diols on the photochemically and thermally induced cationic polymerization of a cycloaliphatic diepoxide is examined. If the polymeric diol is a 1,2-diol based polyether the polymerization is retarded compared to the pure diepoxide, whereas the polymerization is not influenced or even enhanced if the diol is a polyether based on a 1,4-diol or a low molecular weight 1,2-diol. The different behavior is explained by the complexation of protons in a crown ether like structure in the presence of the polyethers based on 1,2-diols. This leads to an effective reduction of the acid concentration available to initiate the polymerization. The model was verified by the addition of a small amount of 12-crown-4. In the presence of the crown ether the polymerization is also strongly retarded.