Polymerization of higher aldehydes. IV. Crystalline isotactic polyaldehydes: Anionic and cationic polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Low temperature polymerization of aldehydes in solvents of low dielectric constants yields crystalline isotactic polyaldehydes. Alkali metal alkoxides were found to be the best initiators; but alkali metals, alkali metal alkyls, Grignard reagents, lithium aluminum hydride, and aluminum organic compounds also work effectively. Isotactic polyaldehydes were also obtained by cationic initiation (stannic bromide, solid BF 3 etherate). The stereoregularity increases with the increase of the space requirements of the side chain.