ANIONIC-POLYMERIZATION OF SPIRO MONOMERS DERIVED FROM GERMYLENE

The ring-opening polymerization of a spiro germanium enolate proceeds smoothly catalyzed by an anionic initiator, giving rise to a poly(germ anium acyclic enolate), an organometallic polymer having a germanium e nolate structure. The resulting polymers have an O-germanium enolate u nit and a C-germanium enolate unit in the main chain. Various anionic catalysts including neutral alkali metal salts, methanol, and water in itiate the polymerization effectively. The monomer of the spiro german ium enolate is easily prepared in situ by the reaction of a cyclic ger mylene with methyl vinyl ketone.