POLYMERIZATION OF CYCLOHEXENE OXIDE BY ORGANOALUMINUM COMPOUNDS

The polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) by various organoaluminu m compounds such as R3Al (R = Me, Et, i-Bu), Et2AlCl, and EtAlCl2 is r eported. Ethyl-substituted aluminum compounds were found to be very ef fective for this polymerization. As more chlorine atom is substituted on the aluminum atom, the polymer yield was increased though the molec ular weight was decreased. The polymer yields at varying monomer-to-ca talyst mole ratios (M/C) were similar (80-93%). The temperature and so lvent effect for the present polymerization were also studied. The pre sent poly(CHO) was a less stereoregular (atactic) isomer, regardless o f catalysts and polymerization conditions. The resulting poly(CHO) was a white powder and was soluble in aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbo n solvents such as benzene, chlorobenzene, CCl4, chloroform, etc.