2-FURYLOXIRANES .3. CHAIN EXTENSION WITH DIFFERENT POLYOLS

2-Furyl-, 5-methyl-2-furyl-, and alpha-methyl-2-furyl oxiranes were us ed for the chain extension of different polyols and the reaction mecha nism leading to the formation of the extented products was established . In all cases, it was shown that the chain extension was accompanied by a homopolymerization of the furanic oxiranes giving oligomers with degrees of polymerization of 6-7. The importance of transfer reactions during the propagation, namely the elimination of water and the subse quent anomalous formation of OH groups, was investigated in detail. Th is included the use of C-13 NMR spectroscopy which confirmed the propo sed mechanism and also showed the presence of C=C unsaturations.