Abstract
The copolymerization of epsilon -caprolactone ( epsilon -CL) with octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D sub 4 ) and styrene (St) under the action of the second-stage potassium graphitide KC sub 24 was investigated. The copolymerizations were carried out in bulk or in xylene at 20 deg C. The content of the block copolymer epsilon -CL /D sub 4 in the polymerization mixture was 60-95%, the molecular weight ranging between 150 000 and 300 000. The data for the copolymers' composition obtained by exp 1 H-NMR and GPC showed 14-20% of D sub 4 -units in the copolymer. The amount of the block copolymer epsilon CL/St in the polymerization products was 0-87%, and the molecular weights in the case of copolymer formation were between 100 000 and 500 000. The content of St-units in the copolymers was from 10 to 75% as shown by GPC and exp 1 H-NMR. The mechanism of action of the initiator is discussed. 11 ref.--AA