Novel anionic thermally latent initiating systems:: Anionic polymerization of glycidyl phenyl ether with potassium tert-butoxide/active methylene compounds

The anionic polymerization of a monofunctionalized epoxide, glycidyl phenyl ether (GPE) with potassium tert-butoxide in the presence of active methylene compounds was described. The development of living polymerization with the initiating system was investigated. It was found that the initiation system with compound 1a shows activity at a relatively middle temperature, at which a polymer with a relatively high Mn and a narrow Mw/M n could be formed. The results of the bulk polymerization of GPE with tBuOK and/or dimethyl malonate suggested that this initiating system might perform a living polymerization for GPE.