SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF POLY(OXYETHYLENE)S CONTAINING THIOETHER, SULFOXIDE, OR SULFONE GROUPS

Poly[oxy(ethylthiomethyl) ethylene] (ETE) was prepared from poly[oxy ( chloromethyl) ethylene] (CE) by reaction with sodium ethanethiolate. S ulfoxide and sulfone analogues were synthesized by oxidation of the po ly [oxy(ethylthiomethyl) ethylene]. By changing the chloromethyl/sodiu m ethanethiolate ratio, poly[oxy(chloromethyl) ethylene-co-oxy( ethylt hiomethyl) ethylene] (CE-ETEs) were easily made. Poly [oxy(ethylsulfin ylmethyl)ethylene] (ESXE), poly [oxy(chloromethyl)ethylene-co-oxy( eth ylsulfinylmethyl)ethylene] (CE-ESXEs), poly[oxy(ethylsulfonylmethyl)et hylene] (ESE), and poly[oxy( chloromethyl) ethylene-co-oxy( ethylsulfo nylmethyl)ethylene] (CE-ESEs) were obtained by oxidation of ETE or CE- ETEs. There was little if any chain degradation. The (co)polymer struc tures were confirmed by FTIR and H-1-NMR spectroscopic studies. Their thermal properties were studied by DSC and TGA. T(g)s of ETE, ESXE, an d ESE were -57, 36, and 57 degrees C, respectively, and T(d,o)s (initi al decomposition temperature, TGA) were 331, 198, and 308 degrees C, r espectively. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.