A general polymerization method using hydroalkoxylation and hydrocarboxylation reactions catalyzed by triflic acid

The study was conducted to demonstrate the first polymerization method by using hydroalkoxylation and hydrocarboxylation reactions. These were the catalytic reaction, which were presently reported for the synthesis of cyclic ethers and esters. The hydroalkoxylation and hydrocarboxylation reactions were catalyzed by trifluromethanesulfonic or triflic acid (TfOH). The TfOH is a Bronsted acid that exhibits good thermal stability and does not ant as a sulfonating agent. It is often optimal and larger catalyst, which can adversely affect functional groups or cause decomposition of olefins. It was observed that the polymerization activity for NBCO₂H was much higher than oleic acid, which resulted in higher conversions and molecular weight values. The conversion, weight-average molecular weight, and intrinsic viscosity data was increased with increasing time and temperature. The conversion were based on the polymer and monomer peak areas, which was measured by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).