SOLID-STATE THERMOLYSIS OF POLY(P-T-BUTOXYCARBONYLOXYSTYRENE) CATALYZED BY POLYMERIC PHENOL - EFFECT OF PHASE-SEPARATION

Thermolysis of poly(p-t-butoxycarbonyloxystyrene) (PBOCST) catalyzed by polymeric phenol in the solid state is very much dependent on the extent of phase separation. Poly(p-hydroxystyrene) (PHOST, a thermolysis product of PBOCST) is not miscible with PBOCST. Therefore, this phenolic resin can not effectively catalyze the solid-state thermolysis reaction when simply blended with PBOCST. However, if the phenolic functionality is forced to be in the vicinity of the t-butoxycarbonyl (tBOC) group, the thermolysis takes place facilely at 130 degree C. The effect of casting solvent on thermolysis in PBOCST/Varcum films is also discussed.