Cationic Polymerization of ?-Phenylvinyl Alkyl Ethers

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Abstract
The cationic polymerization of β-phenylvinyl alkyl ethers (alkyl: methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and n-butyl) was examined in toluene and in methylene chloride with boron fluoride etherate and with stannic chloride at −78°C. Despite the fact that these monomers have bulky substituents on the α –and β-carbons, they could be homopoly-merized easily even in nonpolar sovent at −78°C. The general features of β-phenylvinyl alkyl ethers in homopolymerization and co-polymerization with n-butyl vinyl ether suggested that β-phenylvinyl alkyl ethers behaved as derivatives of vinyl ethers, not as derivatives of styrenes. The polymerization products were white powders having a high softening point.