Interaction of N-tert-butylaziridine with π-electron acceptors, 2. Polymerization initiated by tetracyanoethylene

The interaction of N-tert-butylaziridine (TBA) with the strong π-electron acceptor tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) was investigated, which results in ring-opening polymerization of the aziridine. Charge-transfer complex formation between TBA and TCNE was proved by means of UV/VIS spectroscopy and is assumed to be the first stage of the initiation. There is evidence that only linear TBA homopolymers are formed and TCNE is not covalently bound in the polymer chains as comonomer. The acceptor is present in the final products as a stable complex with the nitrogen atoms along the polyaziridine chains.