Organophosphorus polymers. I. Peroxide‐initiated polymerization of diethyl and diisopropyl vinylphosphonate

It was shown that diethyl vinylphosphonate and diisopropyl vinylphosphonate are polymerized by peroxide initiators to clear, light‐yellow, viscous liquid polymers of low molecular weight. It was found that the yield of the isolated polymers varied directly, while the molecular weight varied inversely, with the concentration of the initiator. Infrared spectra of the monomers used and the polymers obtained established that polymerization occurs through the vinyl group. It is postulated that the low molecular weight is due to the result of chain transfer with polymer and/or monomer through the alkoxy groups attached to the phosphorus atom.