Anionic Polymerization of 4-Methyl-2-Oxetanone

Abstract
Potassium solutions, obtained by contacting the metal mirror with a THF solution of a crown ether were found to initiate the anionic polymerization of 4-methyl-2-oxetanone (1) (8-butyrolactone). The tacticity of the resulting polymer 2 was established by means of l3 C NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that living polymers of 1 were formed, and the polymerization proceeds without abstraction of hydrogen from the monomer and no termination and transfer reactions take place.