Cationic polymerization of 1,2‐epoxy‐3‐nitropropane in the presence of ethylene glycol, 1. Lower oligodiols obtained according to the activated monomer mechanism

Abstract

Abstract The early stage of cationic polymerization of 1,2‐epoxy‐3‐nitropropane in the presence of ethylene glycol and borontrifluoride etherate is examined. It is shown that the reaction proceeds according to the Activated Monomer Mechanism: initiation and propagation involve the nucleophilic attack of an hydroxyl end‐group moiety onto a protonated monomer molecule; this attack takes place on the carbon atom located in the β‐position with regard to the CH 2 NO 2 group.