Synthesis and Cationic Polymerization of Vinyl Ethers Containing the NLO-chromophores Oxybenzylidenemalononitrile and Oxybenzylidenecyanoacetate in the Side Chain

摘要

o-(2-Vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (4a), methyl o-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (4b), m-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (5a), methyl m-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (5b), p-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenemalononitrile (6a), and methyl p-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate (6b) were prepared by the condensation of o-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (1), m-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (2), and p-(2-vinyloxyethoxy)benzaldehyde (3) with malononitrile or methyl cyanoacetate, respectively. Bifunctional vinyl ether monomers 4a-b and 6a-b polymerized readily with cationic initiators to give polymers with the NLO-chromophores o- and p-oxybenzylidenemalononitrile or o- and p-oxybenzylidenecyanoacetate in side chain at -60 ∩, while meta-isomers 5a and 5b gave lower yields of polymers under the same conditions. The resulting polymers 7-9 were soluble in common organic solvents and the inherent viscosities of polymers were in the range of 0.20-0.30 dL/g in acetone. Solution-cast films were clear and brittle, showing Tg values in the range of 40-70 ∩.