SYNTHESIS AND REACTIONS OF TELECHELIC POLYACETALS

Telechelic polyacetals have been synthesized by endcapping of bifunctionally living polyacetals with tertiary amines. Bifunctionally living poly-(1,3-dioxolane) (poly-DXL) was obtained by polymerization of the cyclic acetal initiated with terephthaloyl-bis-triflate. Attempts to prepare well defined bifunctionally growing poly-DXL with trifluoro-methane sulfonic acid anhydride failed. Low molecular weight dialkyl formals containing functional groups were used as transfer agents for the polymerization of cyclic acetals to control the molecular weight of the polymer and to introduce functional endgroups. Polytelechelic hydroxy-terminated poly-DXL was synthesized by copolymerization of DXL and glycidol. The latter monomer reacts as comonomer through its epoxy ring and as transfer agent by its hydroxyl group.