Polyalkylation of primary polyols by 1,4-addition to tert-butyl acrylate and acrylonitrile

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0040-4039(96)00008-1

The very hydrophilic primary polyols pentaerythritol (PE), 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane and tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), can be polyetherified in satisfactory yield by 1,4-addition to tert-butyl acrylate using phase-transfer catalysis. Polycyanoethylation of these polyols can also be accomplished with acrylonitrile. Preliminary results of chelation between some polyether-acids with samarium(III) are presented.