Synthesis of new polyisocyanates

Novel isocyanates functionalised with either a halogen or methyl ester subs tituent have been synthesised, then polymerised to form the corresponding f unctionalised polyisocyanates using -CN as the initiator. Transesterificati on of the polymer carrying ester groups using alcohol chromophores, yielded polyisocyanates loaded with up to 30% of segments of chromophore. Attempts to similarly derivatise the halogen substituted polymer lead to decomposit ion. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.