SUBSTITUTION AND ELIMINATION-REACTIONS OF POLY(EPICHLOROHYDRIN) AND POLY(2-CHLOROETHYL VINYL ETHER) USING PHASE-TRANSFER CATALYSIS

The reactions of poly(epichlorohydrin) (PECH) and poly(2-chloroethyl vinyl ether) (PCEVE) with various reagents were investigated using phase transfer catalyst (PTC) such as tetra-n-butylammonium bromide (TBAB). Although the reactions of these polymers hardly occurred without PTC in nonpolar solvents such as toluene and diglyme under mild conditions, the addition of PTC caused the reactions to proceed smoothly under the same conditions. In addition, the reactions of PECH and PCEVE with a strong base such as potassium hydroxide proceeded selectively through beta -elimination reaction to produce the polymers with pendant vinyl groups. The catalytic activity of quaternary ammonium salts was strongly influenced by their chain length and the structure of the polymers.