STUDY OF THE POLY(1.3,6,9-TETRAOXACYCLOUNDECANE) IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION - COMPARISON WITH OTHER POLYETHERS AND POLY(1,3-DIOXOLANE)

A sample of linear poly(1,3,6,9-tetraoxacycloundecane) ([-CH2-CH2O)(3) -CH2O-](n), (PTGF)) of molecular weight 35000 was synthesized by catio nic polymerization. The oligomeric cycles were eliminated by successiv e precipitations. This PTGF sample was studied at pure state by differ ential scanning calorimetry and dilatometry. In the amorphous state, t he specific volume was found to be significantly lower than that of ot her polyethers [such as poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)] and very close to that measured below the melting point. In aqueous solution, several pr operties are intermediate between those of PEO and PDXL [poly(dioxolan e)], such as the cloud point and the excess mixing volume. Nevertheles s, the chain flexibility of PTGF is unusually low. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd.