SYNTHESIS OF HIGHLY STEREO-REGULAR AND REGIO-REGULAR ISOTACTIC POLY(PHENYLGLYCIDYLETHER) USING IONIC COORDINATIVE INITIATORS

Racemic and optically active 3-phenoxq-1,2-epoxypropane (phenylglycidy lether, PGE) were polymerized in an ethereal solvent by an initiator s ystem formed by combination of aluminum isopropoxide with one of four different zinc salts (chloride, bromide, iodide and acetate) in severa l ratios. Conversions and molecular weights of the isotactic polymer f raction are clearly related to the coordinating ability as a Lewis aci d of the salts. Using water as co-initiator, the non-stereoselective s ites are inactivated and therefore conversions and molecular weights o f isotactic polymer increase. Both racemic and enantiomerically pure P PGEs show similar X-ray patterns but some differences in the DSC plots are observed. Conversions, molecular weights and degrees of crystalli nity of the isotactic polymer fraction obtained were studied and relat ed to the polymerization conditions and the reaction mechanism.