Primary and chain carrier ions participating in the gas phase polymerization of ethylene oxide

Abstract

The positive ion reactions leading to the initial steps in the polymerization of ethylene oxide have been investigated in the β ion source of a high pressure mass spectrometer. Primary and chain carrier ions up to C₈H₁₅O⁺₄ have been identified in the spectra of the pure monomer. In mixtures of NH₃ and C₂H₄O, polymeric ions C₈H₂₁O⁺₄ have been detected. The observed proton transfer reactions between H⁺₃, H₃O⁺, CH⁺₅, C₂H⁺₅ and C₂H₄O confirm that C₂H₅O⁺ is the initiator of the main polymerization chain.