A low molecular polymerization of alkyl vinyl ether has been investigated and the effect of catalyst and reaction condition for obtaining of higher yield of a dimer (namely, 1, 1-dialkoxy-3-butene) have been investigated. In this reaction, mercuric oxide-boron trifluoride or mercuric acetate-boron trifluoride catalyst (molar ratio of Hg/BF
3>2), and mercuric fluoride catalyst showed superior catalyst activity and its amount was about 0.1-0.3 mole % of Hg against vinyl ether. The solvent used in the reaction had a marked effect on the yield of the dimer and using of acetone showed good result. Also, an addition of a small amount of alcohol showed a tendency of stabilizing the reaction and increasing the yield of the dimer. The product was composed of a mixture of dimer, trimer, tetramer, and high boiling fraction with general OR formula CH
2:CH (CH
2-CH)
nCH
2CH(OR)
2, where n=0, 1 and 2. The structure was confirmed by chemical and physical means, and discussions were made on the mechanism of reaction.
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