POLYMERIZATION OF TETRAHYDROFURAN CATALYZ ED BY THE H3PW12O40 HETEROPOLYACID IN THE PRESENCE OF ALCOHOLS

Products of tetrahydrofuran polymerization catalyzed by the H3PW12O40 heteropolyacid in the presence of mono- and polyalcohols were studied by H-1 NMR spectroscopy. Copolymers of tetrahydrofuran containing both internal and terminal fragments of polyalcohols were prepared in the presence of polyalcohols. Ethers of the tetrahydrofuran homopolymers w ere prepared in the presence of monoalcohols, whereas polymerization i n the presence of propargyl alcohol yielded the polymer with a termina l triple bond. The possibility of synthesis of copolymers of tetrahydr ofuran with organic compounds of other classes was studied. A conclusi on is made that for a successful copolymerization all the compounds us ed as monomers should be able to react with heteropolyacid and to diss olve in the catalyst phase.