Synthesis of Poly(2-Chloro Ethyl Vinylether) and Its Derivatives

The cationic polymerization of 2-chloro ethyl vinylether (CEVE) is initiated by 1-iodo-1-(2-methylpropyloxy)ethane/(n-Bu)4NClO4. The monomer is consumed following first order kinetics. Molar masses are controlled by the ratio [M]:[I]. A rather narrow molar mass distribution is obtained. These observations and the linear conversion-molar mass relationship indicate the living nature of the CEVE polymerization. Poly(CEVE) was converted into poly(2-(1-pyrrolidonyl)-1-ethylvinylether) by the complete nucleophilic substitution of chlorine by the anion of pyrrolidone.