Matrix polarity effects on microphase separation in zwitterionomers, 1. Synthesis of the model random zwitterionomers

In order to analyze the matrix polarity effects on the potential microphase separation in zwitterionomers, well controlled multi-step chemical modifications of atactic and amorphous poly(epichlorohydrin) (PEC, Tg = –22°C) were designed for the synthesis of four homologous series of zwitterionic AiB copolymers. They segregate into their flexible polyether chain segments consisting of various Ai units —CH2—CH(CH2Ri)—O— of finely tuned polarity such as epichlorohydrin (PEC, Ri = Cl), glycidol (PGOH, Ri = OH), glycidyl acetate (PGAC, Ri = O—CO—CH3) or glycidyl-p-nitrobenzoate (PGNB, Ri = O—CO—C6H4—NO2) and highly dipolar and constant B units —CH2—CH[—CH2— O—(CH2)2—N+(C2H5)2—(CH2)2— O—CO—C–(CN)2]—O— of the ammonio-ethoxydicyanoethenolate type (μ = 25.9 D, molar fraction FB 200), of well controlled composition and of quasi-bernouillan microstructure. They may be thus considered as good model systems for structural studies.