2-[(Diallyl)hydroxymethyl]pyrrolidine in radical (co)polymerization reactions

The feasibility of the free-radical (co)polymerization of 2-[(diallyl)hydroxymethyl]pyrrolidine is studied. It is found that, under radical-initiation conditions, this monomer is not involved in homopolymerization and copolymerization with vinyl monomers; however, it exhibits high activity during copolymerization with sulfur dioxide. Copolymerization proceeds to yield alternating copolymers of an equimolar composition. The main polymer chain contains both linear fragments formed via opening of one double bond of 2-[(diallyl)hydroxymethyl]pyrrolidine and cyclolinear structures resulting from the participation of two double bonds in the reaction. It is demonstrated that the copolymers obtained are optically active.