Synthesis and Properties of 1, 2-Dihydroxyethylene Modified-Polyvinyl Alcohol

The solubility and swelling in water of 1, 2-dihydroxyethylene modified polyvinyl alcohols synthesized by hydrolysis of vinylene carbonate-vinyl acetate copolymers have been measured. The solubility and swelling property became remarkable with the increase of 1, 2-dihydroxyethylene units in the modified polyvinyl alcohol chain. On the other hand, the curve of Huggin's k′ against mole per cent of 1, 2-dihydroxyethylene unit was observed to reach a peak, when it was near 20mol per cent. It was known from the measurement of infrared absorption spectrum of the modified polyvinyl alcohol that when more than a certain ratio of 1, 2-dihydroxyethylene unit is introduced the peak in the crystallization band of polyvinyl alcohol disappeared.