Distribution according to types of functionality of oligomers synthesized by cationic polymerization of cyclic ethers. Mathematical simulation

Abstract

Mathematical simulation was used to investigate possibilities of using cationic polymerization of cyclic ethers to obtain reactive oligomers with a high content of functional end groups and cyclic products. It was shown that in the first case polymerization should be carried out with minimum possible monomer concentration, adding it to the system as it is used up. To obtain cyclic products a monomer concentration should be maintained in the system, which ensures maximum relative proportion of growing cations with a degree of polymerization equal to four. A formula was derived to determine optimum monomer concentration and its variation as products accumulate, based on rate constants of reactions taking place during cationic polymerization of cyclic ethers.