Abstract
Novel branched polyoxymethylene copolymers are synthesized by cationic copolymerization of 1,3,5-trioxane (TOX) with 3-(alkoxymethyl)-3-ethyloxetane (ROX) using BF3 center dot Et2O as an initiator. Four oxetane derivatives with different side-chain lengths (from 1 to 6 carbons) are tested for copolymerization. The copolymer composition is controlled by the feed ratio of ROX, and influenced by the chain length of alkyl group on ROX. The incorporation ratio and side-chain length of the ROX unit have great influence on the thermomechanical properties and crystallinity of the copolymers.