NOVEL SYNTHESES OF POLY(N-ALKYLTRIMETHYLENEIMINE)S BY A REPLACEMENT OF CYANOETHYL GROUPS IN POLY(N-BETA-CYANOETHYLTRIMETHYLENEIMINE) WITH OTHER ALKYL-GROUPS

The novel synthesis of poly(N-alkyltrimethyleneimine)s by a replacemen t of cyanoethyl group in poly(N-beta-cyanoethyltrimethyleneimine) (pol y-CET) by other alkyl groups is reported herein. The linear poly(N-p-n itrobenzyltrimethyleneimine) (poly-NBzT) was prepared by alkylation of poly-CET (MW about 6000) with p-nitrobenzyl bromide, followed by elim ination of cyanoethyl groups by heating. The cyanoethyl groups of poly -CET were completely replaced by p-nitrobenzyl groups in this process. Poly(N-methyl-trimethyleneimine) (poly-MET) (MW abo ut 3000) was prep ared in a similar manner. Further, poly(N-alkyltrimethyleneimine)s hav ing two different kinds of N-alkyl groups in the polymer chain could b e obtained by using various alkylating agents such as benzyl bromide, nitrobenzyl bromide, and methyl iodide.