Copolymerization of epichlorhydrin with maleic anhydride catalyzed by Zn(acac)2

Abstract Copolymerization of epichlorhydrin (ECH) with maleic anhydride (MA) was investigated under several conditions. Zinc acetylacetonate [Zn(acac)2] was found to catalyze the alternate copolymerization of ECH with MA at a mild temperature, resulting in the formation of polyester, the structure of which was confirmed with the aid of infrared, NMR, and elemental analysis. From kinetic studies of copolymerization an apparent first order of reaction with respect to catalyst concentration and to monomer concentration with 1:1 mole mixture was established. A possible initiation mechanism was discussed, and Zn(acac)2–MA complex was suggested to be an initiating species.