Synthesis and polymerization of cyclic formals of oligooxyethylene diols

Abstract

AbstractPolymers of general formula [−(CH2CH2O)m‐CH2O‐]n with well‐defined m value may be obtained by cationic ring‐opening polymerization of easily available cyclic formals of di‐, tri‐, tetra‐, penta‐ (and possibly higher) ethylene glycols. There are no significant kinetic or thermodynamic restrictions for their polymerization. Polymers with [(‐CH2CH2O)m‐CH2O‐]n structure may be treated as intermediates between polymers of ethylene oxide (POE) and polymers of 1,3‐dioxolane (PDXL), both of which find applications in the biomedical field as well as components of solid polymer electrolytes. Largely unexploited [(‐CH2CH2O)m‐CH2O‐]n polymers may broaden the scope of the application of polyacetals in both these areas.