Living cationic polymerization of poly (isobutyl vinyl ether) and PVA derived therefrom

Some new synthetic routes for the preparation of poly (isobutyl vinyl ether) (P(IBVE)) having a controllable molar mass with narrow distribution via catalytic or photoinduced living cationic polymerization and their conversion to corresponding PVA have been developed. It was found that the combination of iodomethyl methyl ether (IMME)-zinc iodide is effective in the initiation of the catalytic and the various combinations of diphenyliodonium halides, well known photocationic initiators (DPIX) with zinc halides (ZnX$_2$) are also useful in photoinduced living cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether (IBVE). Polymerization both in the catalytic and photoinduced systems precede until the full consumption of the monomer and the rate of polymerization increases as the concentration of the catalyst or photoinitiator. The number average molar mass of the resulting polymer is proportional with % conversion, which is determined by the ratio of monomer consumed and the initial values of the catalyst or initiator. The living nature was also confirmed by subsequent monomer addition technique.