Ring-opening polymerization of oleochemical epoxides catalyzed by aluminoxane/acetyl acetone

Terminal epoxides based on oleochemicals were homopolymerized and copolymer ized to high molecular weight polyethers (M-w = 2.3 x 10(5)-29.0 x 10(5) g/ mol, GPC based on polystyrene calibration standards) with a comb structure using aluminoxanes/acetyl acetone catalysts. Poly(methyl omega -epoxy alkan oates) were achieved in yields of 56-92% after reaction times of 72 h at 10 0 degreesC. omega -Epoxy undecenyl silyl ethers were polymerized in yields of 40-94% after 24 h. Copolymerization of 1,2-decene oxide with Cio, Cli an d C-14 w-epoxy alkanoates was performed under identical conditions in almos t quantitative yields in 24-48 h (M-w = 1.5 x 10(5)-8.3 x 10(5) g/mol). The copolymers exhibited compositions similar to the comonomer feed ratio. Sod ium salts and polyacids from poly(methyl omega -epoxy alkanoates) were obta ined by alkaline hydrolysis and neutralization with acetic acid. A poly(epo xy alcohol) was synthesized by cleaving the corresponding trimethylsilyl et her. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.