Controlled Synthesis of Polyepichlorohydrin with Pendant Cyclic Carbonate Functions for Isocyanate-Free Polyurethane Networks

Poly(allyl glycidyl ether) and poly(allyl glycidyl ether-co-epichlorohydrin) were prepared by monomer-activated anionic polymerization. Quantitative and controlled polymerization of allyl glycidyl ether (AGE) giving high molar mass polyether was achieved in a few hours at room temperature in toluene using tetraoctylammonium salt as initiator in presence of an excess of triisobutylaluminum ([ i-Bu3Al]/[NOct(4)Br] = 2-4). Following the same polymerization route, the copolymerization of AGE and epichlorohydrin yields in a living-like manner gradient-type copolymers with controlled molar masses. Chemical modification of the pendant allyl group into cyclic carbonate was then investigated and the corresponding polymers were used as precursors for the isocyanate-free synthesis of polyurethane networks in presence of a diamine. Formation of crosslinked materials was followed and characterized by infrared and differential scanning calorimetry. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 49: 2677-2684, 2011