Triflate esters as in-situ generated initiating system for carbocationic polymerization of vinyl ethers, isoprene, myrcene and ocimene

Abstract

Thermo-induced carbocationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE), isoprene, myrcene and ocimene is reported using triflate esters as in-situ generated single-molecule initiating system. 3-Methyl-2-butenyl triflate is used for IBVE polymerization at room temperature resulting in polymers with Mn∼9500gmol−1 and Mw/Mn∼2. Triflate-ester initiated polymerization of isoprene leads to oligomers with branched and ultimately cross-linked structures. Myrcene cationic polymerization, in CH2Cl2 or cyclohexane, using 2-propenyl triflate and 1-(4-metoxyphenyl)ethyl triflate as initiators yields low molar mass oligomyrcenes with loss of olefinic protons. Ocimene cationic polymerization is reported for the first time.