Polymerization of Phenyl Glycidyl Ether by Triethanolaminetitanate-triphenylborate Complex

Abstract

Polymerization of phenyl glycidyl ether (I), a model compound of epoxy resin, by triethanolaminetitanate-triphenyl borate complex II was investigated to elucidate the curing reaction of the epoxy resin with II. The polymerization follows a second-order rate low for I and II. The activation entropy was -56cal·mol^-1·deg^-1 which seems to be a large negative value in the ring opening reaction of epoxide. Infrared spectrum of the system clearly shows the disappearance of B←N linkage at 1380 cm^-1 and the constancy of B-O linkage at 1340 cm^-1 during the polymerization. It is concluded that the ring opening reaction of the epoxide was by a S_N2 mechanism.