POLYALDOL CONDENSATION OF ACETALDEHYDE BY TRANSITION-METAL ALKYLS

In the preceding paper (1), the authors reported the polymerization of acetaldehyde by transition metal alkyls at minus 78 degree C, where acetaldehyde was converted to polyacetal with a poly(oxymnthylmethylene) structure by the catalyst. They found that at room temperature the transition metal alkyls initiates another type of polymerization of acetaldehyde, polyaldol condensation to give polymers having OH groups. In this paper the researchers report the polyaldol condensation of acetaldehyde catalyzed by the transition metal alkyls and characterization of the polymers obtained. Table I shows the results of the polymerization of acetaldehyde by transition metal alkyls. It is seen that transition metal alkyls serve as good catalysts for the polymerization of acetaldehyde at room temperature. Polymerization procedure is described. Polymers obtained were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy.