Synthesis of poly(3‐vinyl‐1,4‐butyrolactone‐co‐acrylonitrile)

Copolymerizations of 3‐vinyl‐1,4‐butyrolactone (1) and acrylonitrile (2) initiated by dibenzoyl peroxide or 2,2′‐azoisobutyronitrile were carried out. The following reactivity ratios were found for the bulk copolymerization at 70°C for 1: r1 = 0,078±0,037 and for 2: r2 = 4,7±0,3. In addition the values Q1 = 0,033 and e1 = 0,053 were obtained. The ring opening and the ring closing of the lactone moiety in the polymer with an alkaline and an acid were found to be reversible.