CHEMICAL MODIFICATION OF POLY(EPICHLOROHYDRIN) WITH UNSATURATED POTASSIUM CARBOXYLATES

Poly(epichlorohydrin) was modified by nucleophilic substitution with s ome aliphatic potassium carboxylates containing terminal double bonds (10-undecenoate, 4-pentenoate and 3-butenoate). In order to monitor th e degree of substitution achieved, different reaction conditions were tested. The polyethers obtained were characterized by spectroscopic te chniques, elemental analysis, thermal methods, viscosity determination s and osmometric measurements. A slight crosslinking and the reported main chain cleavage were both detected. Finally, it must be pointed ou t that, during the substitution reaction with the vinylacetate, isomer ization to crotonic ester took place.