RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION OF 3,3,3-TRIFLUORO-1,2-EPOXYPROPANE - STUDIES ON MONOMER REACTIVITY AND POLYMER STRUCTURE

The polymerization reaction of 3,3,3-trifluoro-1,2-epoxypropane (TFEP) with Et2Zn-H2O or potassium hydroxide was investigated. The ring-clea vage reaction of TFEP occurs only at the beta(CH2-O)-position to give regioregular, head-to-tail poly(TFEP). The C-13 NMR and F-19 NMR spect ra of the polymer give information on the dyad tacticity of the polyme r main chain. It is suggested that the organozinc compound is a stereo specific catalyst and potassium hydroxide is a non-stereospecific one for the polymerization of TFEP.