Ring-Opening Polymerization of Bicyclic Acetals

Sumitomo, H. and Okada, M. Ring-Opening Polymerization of Bicyclic Acetals, Oxalactone, and Oxalactam. Vol. 28, pp. 47-82. 

Ring-Opening Polymerization of Bicyclic Acetals, Oxalactone, and Oxalactam... 

The review will be limited to atom- and bond-bridged bicyclic monomers. The important work of Bailey on the polymerization of spiro bicyclo orthoesters and spiro bicyclic orthocarbonates has been adequately described elsewhere 0 1 60 3. The outstanding and systematic body of work by Schu-erch2 3> and others on the ring opening polymerization of bicyclic acetals derived from carbohydrate precursors will also not be covered here. 

This review summarizes all the data we obtained on the synthesis and cationic ring-opening polymerization of bicyclic acetals and orthoesters, and discusses the relationship between ring-strain and poly-merlzablllty. This ties In with earlier work on the polymerlzabll-Ity of monocyclic and bicyclic lactams ( - ). A new mechanism for the propagation step In the polymerization of bicyclic orthoesters Is supported. 

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