Radical ring‐opening polymerization behavior of vinylcyclopropanes derived from dienes and chloroform

Abstract

1,1‐Dichloro‐2‐vinylcyclopropane (Ia), 1,1‐dichloro‐2‐methyl‐2‐vinylcyclopropane (Ib), 1,1,2‐trichloro‐2‐vinylcyclopropane (Ic) were prepared from the corresponding dienes and chloroform in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC), R₄N⁺Cl⁻. Monomers Ia–Ic underwent a clean 1,5‐type radical ring‐opening process to afford the corresponding polymers in good yield. Further, the relative rate of polymerization and reaction of (I) with thiophenol were studied.