Functional polymers LI: Characterization and property analysis of ω‐functionally substituted polyolefins; novel polyolefin ionomers

Homopolymers of 2,6‐dimethylphenyl 10‐undecenoate and copolymers of 2,6‐dimethylphenyl 10‐undecenoate with α‐olefins, prepared by coordination initiators using aluminum activated titanium trichloride, and the corresponding sodium carboxylate and carboxylic acid derivatives have been characterized. IR and NMR investigations gave the normal; spectral characteristics typical for estersubstituted polyolefins and their derivatives. The thermal behavior of the polymeric esters, investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, showed glass transitions characteristic of poly(α‐olefins). Polymeric acids and salts presented quite different behavior; most notably the polymeric salt showed no glass transition, but rather an exothermic transition, resembling a broad melting peak at 250‐270°C, which is characteristic of a crystalline polymer. We interpret this behavior as the melting of carboxylate cluster domains, which according to our WAXD analysis has a domain size of about 25 Å.