Application of novel polymers with S-alkylsulfonium salt moieties as alkylating agents and thermal latent cationic initiators

Sulfonium-containing polymers prepared from dibenzothiophene and diphenyl s ulfide were applied as both alkylating agents and latent initiators for the cationic polymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether. The alkylation of aceton itrile proceeded smoothly with poly(S-n-octyl-2-vinyldibenzothiophenium tet rafluoroborate) (4; 64 mol % octyldibenzothiophenium tetrafluoroborate unit ) to give N-(n-octyl)acetamide in an excellent Yield on the basis of the st arting octyldibenzothiophenium tetrafluoroborate unit in 4. The cationic po lymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether was also carried out in the presence of poly(S-methyl-2-vinyldibenzothiophenium tetrafluoroborate) or poly(S-n-o ctyl-4-vinyldiphenylsulfonium tetrafluoroborate) to confirm their moderate thermal latent activity. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.