Abstract
The electrolytic polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) was carried out in bulk by using tetrabutylammonium perchlorate as an electrolyte. Poly-THF was obtained from the anolyte. The yield of the polymer increased with the reaction time and leveled off at about 70%. The molecular weight of the polymer increased proportionally to the yield of the polymer as was observed in the living polymer system. About two moles of hydroxyl end group were determined per mole of the polymer. In the polarographic measurement, THF gives no oxidation wave. From the results obtained an initiation mechanism is proposed, involving the perchlorate radical and proton. The presence of radical species is indicated by the electrolytic copolymerization of methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile.
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Nakahama, S., Hino, S. & Yamazaki, N. Electrolytic Polymerization of Tetrahydrofuran. Polym J 2, 56–61 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.2.56
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1295/polymj.2.56