Controlled cationic polymerization of furfuryl alcohol

Abstract

CuCl/N,N,N',N '',N ''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine catalyst system was used successfully in the controlled cationic polymerization of furfuryl alcohol initiated with benzyl bromide in acetonitrile. Polymerizations were carried out at 110 degrees C open to air. The effect of reaction time, amount of initiator and solvent on the rate of polymerization was studied. The linear kinetic plot of In([M](o)/[M]) versus polymerization time, linear dependence of the molecular weight on the monomer conversion and low polydispersity of the polymers (1.07-1.50) showed the characteristics of the controlled polymerization. Soluble polymers with M-n up to 6.6 kg/mol were obtained. The structural analysis of the polymer was carried out by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR, FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopies. Formation of carbonyl groups and -CH2-O-CH2- bridges on poly(furfuryl alcohol) chains were observed. Thermal properties of the polymer were studied by DSC and TGA analyses. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.