Ring-Opening Polymerization of 3,3,3-Trifluoro-1,2-epoxypropane. Studies on Monomer Reactivity and Polymer Structure

The polymerization reaction of 3,3,3-trifluoro-1,2-epoxypropane (TFEP) with Et 2 Zn-H 2 O or KOH was investigated. The ring-cleavage reaction of TFEP occurs only at the β(CH 2 -O)-position to give regioregular, head-to-tail poly(TFEP). The 13 C NMR and 19 F NMR spectra of the polymer give information on the dyad tacticity of the polymer main chain. It is suggested that the organozinc compound is a stereospecific catalyst and potassium hydroxide is a non-stereospecific one for the polymerization of TFEP