HL2][P(1,2-O2C6Cl4)3] (L = THF, DMF): Brønsted acid initiators for the polymerization of n-butyl vinyl ether and p-methoxystyrene.

Abstract

The development of solid, weighable Brønsted acids featuring the hexacoordinated phosphorous(v) anion [TRISPHAT]- are reported. H(DMF)2[1] and H(THF)2[1] {[1]- = [P(1,2-O2C6Cl4)3]-} were synthesized and fully characterized by 1H, 31P, 13C and 2D-NOESY NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Both, H(DMF)2[1] and H(THF)2[1] are found to be suitable initiators for the polymerization of n-butyl vinyl ether and p-methoxystyrene. Optimal polymerization results for these single-component initiators were generally obtained at -50 °C where high molecular weight polymers were isolated in high yield. 1H NMR spectroscopic analysis and dynamic light scattering of solutions of the isolated polymers provide evidence for a branched structure which presumably arises from chain transfer.