| Abstract: | The mechanism of the initiation reaction for the polymerization of cyclic ethers and lactones by triethyloxonium-, acetyl- and dioxolenium-salts was studied. Triethyloxonium salts initiate the polymerization of cyclic ethers simply by the alkyl exchange reaction. Cyclic esters react with triethyloxonium salts at both ether and carbonyl oxygens but the polymerization proceeds by the acyl-oxygen fission. The kp value of the polymerization of THF by triethyloxonium salts is almost constant independent of gegenanion. Acetyl cation initiates the polymerization of THF partly by bonding mechanism, but dioxolenium salt initiates completely by bonding. |
