Synthesis of Linear High Molar Mass Glycidol-Based Polymers by Monomer-Activated Anionic Polymerization

Linear polyglycidols of high molar masses were prepared by the monomer-activated anionic polymerization of the corresponding protected monomers, ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether and tert-butyl glycidyl ether, using a system composed of tetraoctylammonium bromide as initiator and triisobutylaluminum as monomer activator. The aluminic compound was used in 1.5-5-fold excess compared to the initiator. Linear poly(ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether) and poly(tert-butyl glycidyl ether), with narrow chain dispersity and controlled high molar masses, up to 85000 g/mol, were prepared at 0 degrees C in a few hours. Deprotection of hydroxyl functions by acidic treatment of file polymers was shown to proceed quantitatively and cleanly affording the corresponding linear polyglycerol and validating the use of these protecting groups. The copolymerization of protected glycidols with propylene oxide and butene oxide was also investigated with the goal to broaden the scope of this synthetic approach to various polyethers and copolyethers