Cationic polymerization of glycidol. Polymer structure and polymerization mechanism

Glycidol (2‐epoxy‐1‐propanol) was polymerized under the action of Lewis acids (BF₃OEt_2,, SnCl₄) and protonic acids (CF₃COOH, CF₃SO₃H). Polymers with number‐average molecular weights (M̄_n) varying from 2500 to 6000 g/mol were obtained. The structure of obtained polymers was characterized by ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, and the amount of 1‐3 units, 1‐4 units and chain branches was determined. The structure of the polymers was related to the polymerization mechanism, especially to the contribution of activated monomer mechanism in chain growth.