2-(multimethoxy)phenyl-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane: II. Preparation and cationic polymerization of 2-(x,y,z-trimethoxyphenyl)-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolanederivatives

2-(2,4,5-Trimethoxyphenyl)-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane (Ib), 2-(2,4,6-trimeth oxyphenyl)-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane (2b), and 2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-4 -methylene-1,3-dioxolane (3b) were prepared and polymerized with boron trif luoride. Boron trifluoride catalyzed reaction proceeded via mainly ring-ope ning polymerization and cyclization reaction to yield poly(keto ether) and 3 (2H)-dihydrofuranone. The yields of polymer and cyclized product exhibite d a dependency on the position of the methoxy substituents in the benzene r ing of 2-phenyl-4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane derivatives. Electrophilic attack of methylene or oxygen atom on 4-methylene-1,3-dioxolane ring were suggest ed for the polymerization and cyclization.