Abstract
Allyl borates, a new class of monofunctional polyhomologation initiators, are reported. These monofunctional initiators are less sensitive and more effective towards polymethylene-based architectures. As an example, the synthesis of alpha-vinyl- omega-hydroxy-polymethylenes is given. By designing/synthesizing different allylic borate initiators, and using H-1 and B-11 NMR spectroscopy, the initiation mechanism was elucidated.