THE USE OF CARBON BLACK-SUPPORTED SULFURIC-ACID TO INITIATE THE CATIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLIC KETENE ACETALS

Stable polymers were made by the cationically initiated 1,2-polymeriza tion of cyclic ketene acetals employing heterogeneous, activated carbo n-supported sulfuric acid catalysts. A methodology has been establishe d for the preparation of the carbon black of different acidic strength s. By adjusting either the acid strength or the amount of carbon black used, cyclic ketene acetals with different activities can be polymeri zed efficiently to form stable high molecular weight polymers. This me thodology will be a useful tool for polymerization, copolymerization, and studies of the relative reactivities of the cyclic ketene acetals. The polymer structures were determined by FTIR, C-13-NMR, and H-1-NMR studies. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.