The UV-light or Free-radical Induced Polymerization of Propylene Sulfide in the Presence of Maleic Anhydride

Abstract

he UV-light or Free-radical Induced Polymerization of Propylene Sulfide (PS) in the Presence of maleic anhydride (MAH) has been studied. It was found that polythioether was the only product. No adduct of MAH to polythioether was formed. The polymer (F=12∼17) did not contain mercapto groups. The polymerization reaction seems to proceed cationically by the formation of a charge transfer complex of PS and MAH, as in the case of propylene oxide.