Synthesis and radical polymerization of 2-vinylcyclopropanes

The radical polymerization of I,1-disubstituted 2-vinylcyclopropanes with e lectron-withdrawing substituents results in polymers with mainly 1,5-ring-o pened units. Moreover, they show a significant lower volume shrinkage durin g their ring-opening polymerization than other vinyl monomers, such as meth acrylates. New asymmetric. 1,1-disubstituted 2-vinylcyclopropanes were synt hesized and polymerized. Hybrid 2-vinylcyclopropanes were polymerized step- by-step under the formation of reactive polymers and polymer networks. Mult ifunctional cross-linking vinylcyclopropanes were used as new low-shrinking matrix monomers for photopolymerizable materials. In addition, the sol-gel process of trialkoxy-silyl-functionalized 2-vinylcyclopropanes afforded lo w shrinking organic-inorganic nanocomposites.