J. Masamoto et K. Matsuzaki, SPECIFIC PHENOMENA DURING THE COPOLYMERIZATION OF TRIOXANE AND ETHYLENE-OXIDE, Macromolecular symposia, 132, 1998, pp. 431-440
We, at Asahi Chemical in Japan, have industrialized three types of pol
yacetal resins, that is, the acetal homopolymer, copolymer and block c
opolymer using anionic, cationic and anionic polymerization techniques
, respectively. During this industrialization, we observed various phe
nomena, which were not previously reported. First, the authors outline
the three technologies for producing each type of polyoxymethylene fr
om an industrial viewpoint. Next, the authors discuss a newly found re
action during the induction period of the trioxane and ethylene oxide
copolymerization. Experimental proof of direct ring expansion between
the reaction of trioxane and ethylene oxide is discussed and various n
ovel cyclic compounds are also shown. To the best of our knowledge, th
is reaction may be the world's first experimental proof of direct ring
expansion of the reaction of a cyclic monomer. Third, the authors als
o discuss the newly founded morphospecific polymer from the copolymeri
zation of trioxane and ethylene oxide using boron trifluoride dibutyl
ether as an initiator.