J. Starr, O. Vogl
Nov 1, 1978
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0
Influential Citations
4
Citations
Journal
Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
Abstract
Crystalline poly(undecanal) (2) was prepared by anionic polymerization of undecanal (1) with lithium tert-butanolate in methylcyclohexane. As the aliphatic side chain length of the monomeric aldehyde increases, the polymerization becomes increasingly difficult and 2 could only be obtained if the temperature profile during the polymerization was carefully controlled. 2 of reasonable molecular weight was obtained in nearly 50% yield and was identified by IR and NMR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction measurements showed the polymer to be highly crystalline. The paraffinic side chains of 2 were found to be primarily responsible for the polymer crystallization and the polymer side chain transitions were found between 40 and 60°C. Normally, more than one endothermic peak was found by DSC in this region. 2 could be extended through an orifice to a coherent filament whose x-ray diffraction pattern showed negligible orientation. In contrast, other aldehyde polymers with shorter side chains gave good fiber patterns on extrusion.