NOVEL BENZO-15-CROWN-5 FUNCTIONALIZED ALPHA-OLEFIN CO TERPOLYMERS FORMEMBRANE APPLICATIONS/

The synthesis of a benzo-15-crown-5 functionalized alpha-olefin (4'-(u ndec-10-enylcarboxylate)benzo-15-crown-5, 5) and its terpolymerization with carbon monoxide and various alpha-olefins are described. A decli ne of the glass transition temperatures (T-g) of the corresponding ter polymers was observed upon incorporating compound 5 into the polymer m ain chain. Ion-selective membranes were prepared by encapsulating the benzo-15-crown-5 functionalized alpha-olefin/CO terpolymers in a micro porous polyethylene support. Preliminary ion-transport experiments dem onstrate the ability of these novel crown ether substituted polyketone s to transport NaClO4 across the membranes. Adjusting the polarity of the polyketones via the length of the olefinic side chain offers a mea ns to control the ion-permeation-rates.