Backbone-assisted reactions of polymers. V. Kinetics of isomerization of poly(chloromethylthiirane) and poly(3-chlorothietane) in solution

Abstract

The reversible isomerization of poly(chloromethylthiirane) and poly(3-chlorothietane) represents a new kind of polymer reaction and a new method of copolymer synthesis. In chloroform, in dichloromethane, or in nitrobenzene the reaction is well described by reversible first-order kinetics. A rate increase of ca. 40% on changing the solvent from chloroform to nitrobenzene is consistent with an isomerization mechanism that involves a rate-determining attack of the backbone sulfur atom on the neighboring carbon-chlorine bond and rapid ring-opening of the thiiranium ion intermediate by chloride ion.

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