Determination of ceiling temperature and thermodynamic properties of low ceiling temperature polyaldehydes

Knowledge of the ceiling temperature and thermodynamic variables for low ceiling temperature polymers is critical to understanding the material's synthesis and use. Synthesis of the polymer below its ceiling temperature is the routine polymerization route. In situ(1)H NMR of the equilibrium polymerization reaction can provide critical information for determining the enthalpy and entropy of polymer formation. Three polyaldehydes were synthesized with in situ(1)H NMR, and their energies of formation were determined for the linear region of ceiling temperature. Insights into the mechanism of polymerization were also found using this method. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 221-228