Oligomerization

Summary

• 1. An investigation was made of the reaction of vinyl. ethers with carbon tetrachloride in presence, of various agents capable of initiating reaction by a free-radical mechanism.

• 2. It was shown that platinized charcoal, 2,2*-aaobis[2-methylpropionittile], and also heating and ultraviolet irradiation, are good initiators for the formation of simple addition products and polymers from vinyl ethers and carbon tetrachloride. The reactions are rapid, and good yields are obtained.

• 3. Unlike other vinyl ethers investigated, phenyl vinyl ether does not react with carbon tetrachloride under the action of heat and in presence of platinum.

• 4. Study of the thermal decomposition of 1,3,3,3-trichloropropyl ethers showed that a 3-chloro is first eliminated as HCl and the resulting 1,3,3-trichloroallyl ether decomposes with elimination of alkyl halide, their behavior being like that of alkyl 1-chloroethyl ethers. In this respect the phenyl ether shows the same peculiarities as 1-chloroethyl phenyl ether does.