On the synthesis and properties of some saturated and unsaturated esters of 2-cyano-2, 4-pentadienoic acid

The preparation and properties of some new saturated and unsaturated esters of 2-cyano-2,4-pentadienoic acid (CPDA) are described. A comparison is also made with the known CPDA monomers synthesized under identical conditions. It was found that the monomer yields are dependent on the structure of the corresponding CPDA esters. This fact was explained with solvatation effects, occurring during the isolation procedures. The base-catalyzed anionic bulk polymerization of CPDA esters was studied by means of spectral methods. The data indicated that during the homopolymerization 1,4-addition of monomer molecules takes place to give a steric copolymer consisting of 1,4-cis and 1,4-trans structural units. The ability of poly-CPDA esters was also followed to form crosslinks at room and higher temperatures.