Radiation‐induced liquid state polymerization of some cyclic ethers

Abstract Cyclohexene α‐oxide can be polymerized in the liquid state under the influence of Co60 γ‐radiation at room temperature. Several other oxiranes (including glycidyl ethers) and oxetanes were investigated at the same conditions but only cyclohexene α‐oxide gives fairly high yields and rates of polymerization at the dose rate used, (2.21.104 R/hr.). According to the IR spectra polymer does not contain carbonyl groups and has an identical spectra as the cationically polymerized product (BF3 in CH2Cl2 solution at −78°C.). Since cyclohexene α‐oxide itself is very reactive toward cationic catalysts and rather stable in the presence of even strong bases a cationic mechanism of radiation induced polymerization is prefered.