Ring opening polymerization of ethylene oxide by the Y(P 204) 3—Al(i-Bu) 3—H 2O catalyst

Abstract

Ring opening polymerization of ethylene oxide was carried out for the first time in toluene using the rare earth coordination catalyst: Y(P 204) 3 AL(i-Bu) 3-H 2O. The polymerization activity is strongly dependent upon the molar ratio of these three components and polymerization conditions. This new catalyst gives high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) with a high reaction rate and a high yield. Poly(ethylene oxide) so prepared was characterized by infrared spectrophotometry, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction.