Reactions of unsaturated fatty alcohols. II. Polymerization of vinyl ethers and film properties of polymers

Abstract

SummaryVinyl ethers of stearyl, soybean, and linseed fatty alcohols have been prepared and polymerized in solution in hydrocarbon or chlorinated solvents at temperatures down to −30°C. with several Lewis‐acidtype catalysts. Stearyl polyvinyl ether was a white, waxy solid melting at 44°–50°C. while soybean and linseed polyvinyl ethers were colorless, viscous liquids. Molecular weights of these polymers range from 1,500 to 15,000 and higher, depending on the conditions of polymerization.Films of soybean and linseed polyvinyl ethers containing driers were cast from toluene solution. Hard films were obtained with cobalt drier by baking at 150°C. while softer films were obtained under these conditions when lead driers were used.Soybean films containing cobalt drier and baked on Pyrex glass dissolved completely in 5% aqueous alkali. A fatty acid coresponding to the fatty alcohol side chain was isolated from this solution along with a material that appeared to be partially oxidized polyvinyl alcohol. Baked films of soybean polyvinyl ether with lead drier did not dissolve in alkali. Some improvement of alkali resistance was obtained with cobalt films by adding aromatic amines as antioxidants. Soybean polymer films containing cobalt and baked on soft glass or metal surfaces were resistant to 5% aqueous alkali for at least three days.Soybean polyvinyl ether was emulsified with an equal weight of water, using ammonium salts of fatty acids as emulsifiers. Films were prepared from this emulsion that appeared to be continuous.