Anionic Polymerization of Aldehydes

VI. Polymerization of Aldehydes with Alkaline-Earth-Metal Ketyls

Abstract

Polymerization of aldehydes at low temperatures with alkaline-earth-metal ketyls as catalyst was studied. It was observed that crystalline polymers were obtained in high polymer yield with these catalysts. Magnesium, barium and calcium were used as alkaline-earth-metal and benzophenone, Michler's ketone and benzyl were used as aromatic ketones. At the lower temperature of the polymerization, was higher value the crystallinity of the obtained polymer. It was possible to obtain block copolymers of acetaldehyde by using living polymers which obtained by polymerization of vinyl monomers with these complexes as catalyst. Normal and iso-butyraldehyde and chloral could be polymerized also with these complexes as catalyst.