Composition and long-term stability of polyglycidol prepared by cationic ring-opening polymerization

Polyglycidol synthesized by cationic ring-opening polymerization of glycidol (boron trifluoride initiation in dichloromethane) was purified of low molecular weight contaminants by centrifugal filtration. The high and low molecular weight fractions were characterized by NMR, GPC, osmometry, viscometry, DSC, and FTIR. The C-13-NMR spectrum of this polymer was completely annotated by proposing a new step in the reaction mechanism. The four thermal dimers of glycidol were also isolated and identified as 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-dioxane and 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,4-dioxane, each of which can exist in cis and trans configurations. Polyglycidol was found to be hygroscopic, picking up about 5% by weight of atmospheric moisture. It was also found that, over time (ca. 1-2 years), polyglycidol crosslinks into a rubbery, insoluble mass. It is therefore recommended that this polymer be stored dry and used within a few months of synthesis. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.