Development of the method of polystyrene chloromethylation using the synthesis in gel approach

A new method for the preparation of poly(chloromethylstyrene) by synthesis in a gel via treating of linear polystyrene with cyclic formals in thionyl chloride has been developed. The method allows to obtain a polymer with a high degree of functionalization. The degree of chloromethylation depends on the molar ratio of the reagents and the catalyst used. The reactivity of the formals increases in the series 1,3-dioxolane < trioxane < paraform. The composition and structure of polymer products were characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetry. It is established that carrying out of chloromethylation in gel allows, in comparison with the known methods, to achieve a greater degree of functionalization faster and with lower consumption of reagents and solvents.