Polymerization of tetrahydrofuran initiated by the reaction of hexafluoropropylene oxide with tetrahydrofuran - Effect of 5-membered cyclic acid anhydride on the polymerization

Effect of an acid anhydride as an additive on the polymerization of Tetrahydrofuran (THF) initiated by the reaction of hexafluoropropylene oxide (HFPO) with THF was investigated. In the absence of additives, only a low polymer was obtained (M-a=1.1 x 10(3)). In this polymerization fluoride anions generated through the initiation reaction by the fing-opening reaction of HFPO caused by the nucleophilic attack of THF terminates the polymerization at an early stage of the propagation (telomerization). On the other hand, when a 5-membered cyclic acid anhydride such as maleic anhydride was used as an additive, the polymer obtained had a high molecular weight (M-n=8.4 x 10(4)) probably because that termination may be suppressed by the 5-membered cyclic acid anhydride. The end group of the polymer could be easily modified by esterification. The thermal decomposition temperature of this polymer was 211.1 degreesC.