Copolymerization of some epoxides by coordination‐type catalysts

Abstract Copolymerizations of tritiated phenyl glycidyl ether with p‐ and m‐methoxy, p‐methyl, and p‐chloro analogs, as well as with propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin are reported. The relative reactivities indicate greater Lewis acid character for triethylaluminum–water than for diethyl‐zinc–water or ferric chloride–propylene oxide catalyst systems. The copolymerization of the PGE analogs is promoted by electron‐donor groups and retarded by electron‐withdrawing groups.