The anionic polymerization of β-propiolactone at 25°C in ethanol initiated by the betain was investigated. Macrozwitterions of the structure were produced, n being intentionally as low as ca. 11. The structure of the product was proven by the nitrogen content of the reprecipiated polymer, by IR and NMR spectroscopy and by titration of the carboxylate endgroups. Some carboxylic acid endgroups were formed by chain transfer with the solvent ethanol. The positive charge at the polymer chain was proven by electrophoresis of polymer after esterification of the carboxylate chain end. Furthermore the dielectric constant of dilute solutions of the polymer in CHCl3 was determined and is discussed. Th…

End group analysis by NMR spectroscopy and by various chemical methods as well as dipole moments of the carefully purified polymer obtained from propiolactone or pivalolactone and trimethylamine prove the following zwitterion structure: Theoretical aspects of chain initiation with formation of zwitterions are discussed and some physical properties of macrozwitterions are investigated. β-Propiolacton und Pivalolacton wurden unter schonenden Bedingungen mit Trimethylamin als Initiator polymerisiert. Endgruppenuntersuchungen mittels chemischer Methoden und mittels NMR-Spektroskopie sowie die hohen Dipolmomente der sorgfaltig gereinigten Polymeren beweisen die folgende zwitterionische Struktur:…

Two mechanisms are feasible in the anionic polymerization of virtually anhydrous formaldehyde initiated by uncharged LEWIS-bases such as tertiary amines and phosphines: 1. Direct initiation with formation of macrozwitterions the conventional mechanism in which an impurity such as water or methylene glycol acts as a cocatalyst. The investigations were carried out mainly by end group analysis. With triethyl amine as initiator the cocatalysis mechanism is the only or, at least, the predominant mechanism (at 20°C in dimethyl formamide). Quaternary ammonium ions – if any – are present in concentrations much below the concentrations of anionic chain ends. The latter were determined by termination…