Anionic polymerization with expansion in volume

Abstract
New bicyclic and tricyclic compounds have been synthesized by the Lewis acid‐catalyzed condensation of epoxides with cyclic acid anhydrides or cyclic bislactones. These materials take part in the anionic addition polymerization of amine‐functional polyamides with diepoxides, and modify the shrinkage that is characteristic of the reaction. It is possible to control the extent of shrinkage by choosing an appropriate comonomer and by adjusting the concentration of this material in the reaction mixture.