Cationic polymerization of α,β‐disubstituted olefins. V. Reactivity of propenyl alkyl ethers in cationic polymerization

Abstract

AbstractTo elucidate the effect of the introduction of a methyl group in the β‐position of a vinyl monomer, propenyl alkyl ethers were copolymerized with vinyl ethers having the same alkoxy group. Propenyl alkyl ethers with an unbranched alkoxy group (ethyl or n‐butyl propenyl ether) were more reactive than the corresponding vinyl ethers. This behavior is quite different from that of β‐methylstyrene derivatives. However, propenyl alkyl ethers with branched alkoxy groups at the α carbon atom (isopropyl or tert‐butyl propenyl ether) were less reactive than the corresponding vinyl ethers. Also, cis‐ isomers were more reactive than the trans isomers, regardless of the kind of alkoxy group and the polarity of the solvent.