POLYESTERS OF PHOSPHORIC-ACID - SYNTHESIS AND KINETICS OF HYDROLYSIS

Three major methods have been elaborated in our laboratory for prepara tion of polymers with poly(alkylene phosphates) backbones: ring-openin g polymerization, poly-condensation and transesterification, and polya ddition. The second method is based on the reaction of the commerciall y available compounds, namely dialkyl (or diaryl)-H-phosphonates and g lycols. Reaction of the aliphatic H-phosphonates with aliphatic glycol s is a reversible process, whereas polycondensation of diphenyl H-phos phonates with aliphatic and cycloaliphatic diols is practically irreve rsible. This latter method has recently been developed and is describe d in this paper. Poly H-phosphonates with (M) over bar(n), up to 40.10 (3) were prepared. Polymers are easily oxidized and quantitatively con verted into the relatively stable poly(alkylene phosphates). Some phys ical properties of these polymers and kinetics of their hydrolysis is discussed.