A novel phosphorylating polycondensation method using phosgene as a ch
ain extender was carried out for the first time. Polymers obtained wer
e characterized by IR, H-1 NMR, the elemental analysis and copolymers
4 and 5 were further characterized by C-13 and P-31 NMR. The thermal p
roperties, (M) over bar(n)s, (M) over bar(w)s, [111] of polymers were
investigated. The introduction of phosgene as a chain extender can inc
rease substantially the molecular weight of poly(phosphoesters) in sol
ution polycondensation. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.