Modified copolymers of bifunctional vinyl ethers with methyl vinyl sulfide as active matrices of solid superbases

Article abstract of DOI:10.1007/s11172-008-0286-2

Reactive linear and crosslinked copolymers of diethylene glycol divinyl ether and ethylene glycol vinyl glycidyl ether with methyl vinyl sulfide have been synthesized in the presence of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (2%, 60 °C, 45-55 h) in ～53% yield. The hydrolyzed at the residual vinyloxy and epoxy groups and oxidized at the methylthio groups copolymers upon treatment with KOH afford alkoxide (complex) and crown-like superbases. They are capable of catalyzing the acetone ethynylation, as well as the prototropic isomerization of methyl propargyl ether to allenyl methyl ether and vinylation of ethylene and diethylene glycols with acetylene.