Synthesis of polyphosphonates containing pendant, chloromethyl groups by the polyaddition of bis(oxetane)s with phosphonic dichlorides

The polyaddition of 4,4'-bis[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxy]biphenyl (4,4'-BEOBP) and phenylphosphonic dichloride (PPDC) with quaternary onium salts as catalysts proceeded under mild reaction conditions to afford a polymer containing phosphorous atoms in its main chain. A polyphosphonate with a high number-average molecular weight (10,300) was obtained by the reaction of 4,4'-BEOBP and PPDC in the presence of tetraphenylphosphonium chloride (TPPC) in o-dichlorobenzene at 130 degreesC for 24 h. The structure of the resulting polymer was confirmed with IR, H-1 NMR, and P-31 NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, it was proved that the polyaddition of certain bis(oxetane)s with phosphonic dichlorides proceeded smoothly to give corresponding polyphosphonates with TPPC as the catalyst. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.