PREPARATION OF NEW POLYETHER WITH OXETANE PENDANT GROUP

A new oxetane-containing polyether was synthesized by polycondensation of bisphenol-AF (BPAF) with 3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane (BCMO) using the phase-transfer catalyzed method. The polycondensation proceeded v ery smoothly in aromatic solvents, catalyzed by quaternary ammonium or phosphonium salts, such as tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) and tetr abutylphosphonium bromide (TBPB), to afford the polymer with high yiel d and molecular weight. Further, a polymer with relatively high molecu lar weight was obtained when the reactions were carried out in aromati c and lipophilic solvents such as benzene and nitrobenzene. The modifi cation of this oxetane-containing polyether was easily achieved by car rying out ring-opening of the oxetane ring by using hydrogen chloride in methylene chloride, which produced a functional polymer containing hydroxyl and chloro groups. The oxetane-containing polyether was obser ved to be soluble in chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as methyl ene chloride and chloroform, as well as polar solvents such as DMSO, D MF, and DMAc, and also some common organic solvents such as benzene an d toluene. However, it was insoluble in both aliphatic hydrocarbons as well as alcoholic solvents. The oxetane-containing polyether was obse rved to start losing weight at around 300 degrees C under nitrogen atm osphere, and 10% weight loss was measured to be 411 degrees C. The gla ss transition temperature of the oxetane-containing polyether was meas ured to be 134 degrees C and the wide-angle X-ray diffraction pattern revealed this polymer to be semicrystalline. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Son s, Inc.